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Voting System

VOTING SYSTEMS: To learn about the voting systems in use in Maryland go to www.mdvotes.org 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  The registration deadline is twenty-one days preceding an Election.

MARYLAND PARTY PRIMARIES:  The ballot you receive at the polls will depend how you are registered to vote.  If your affiliation is Democrat, you will be given a Democrat ballot.  If your affiliation is Republican, you will be given a Republican ballot. 

VOTING SYSTEM: Harford County Board of Elections utilizes a Touch-Screen Voting System. The system offers the following features:

  • Touch screen voting
  • Intelligent voter card technology
  • Electronic ballot access
  • Screen "magnify" feature
  • Results securely stored using world-class encryption techniques
  • On-screen write-in capability (General Election only)
  • Full accessibility for the disabled

DEMONOSTRATIONS EVENTS
(See Calendar)

GENERAL ELECTION:  All qualified citizens who are registered to vote are eligible to vote in the General Election.  

SAMPLE BALLOT:  The Harford County Election Office mails a sample ballot out to every registered voter prior to the General Election.  The sample ballot will give you an opportunity to review the candidates and questions.  You can mark the sample ballot, bring it with you to the polls on election day and use it as your guide.

VOTING HOURS:  The polls are open to the public from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE YOU VOTE:  Your voting location is determined by the election district and precinct of the residential address on your voter registration record.  Election laws require that you keep your address up to date with the Election Office.  Your voting location is listed on your voter's card.

ALTERNATE VOTING LOCATION:  If the polling place assigned to an elderly or disabled voter is not structurally barrier free, a voter may request, in writing, a reassignment by the local election board.  Requests must be received not later than the close of registration for the election.

If you have any questions about where you vote or whether your registration card is up to date, call the Harford County Election Office at 410-638-3565, e-mail us at elections@harfordcountymd.gov.

Absentee Voting

ABSENTEE VOTING:  Registered voters of Harford County may apply to vote by absentee ballot if qualified.  If circumstances require that you continuously vote by absentee ballot, you must apply anew each election year.  A single application can be completed for both the Primary and General Election.

HOW TO APPLY:  To apply for an absentee ballot you must complete and submit an application for absentee voting.  An application can be obtained by:

MAIL - Call the Election Office and request an absentee application at 410-638-3565.

IN PERSON - At the Harford County Election Office, 133 Industry Lane, Forest Hill, Maryland 21050.

ONLINE - To obtain a form online visit the State Board of Elections at http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/absentee.html.

To obtain additional information in reference to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), visit their web site at http://www.fvap.gov/.

NOTE:  Once you apply and receive an absentee ballot, that is how you must vote for that election.  Even if your plans change, you will not be able to vote at the polls.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  The deadline for receipt of the completed application by mail or fax 410-638-3310 to the Election Office, except for persons who qualify under number one above, is the Tuesday before the election.

After the deadline, application must be made in person using the absentee ballot late application provisions.

LATE ABSENTEE VOTING:  After the Tuesday preceding an election and on election day, a person who finds they will be unable to vote at the polls on election day may come to the Election Office in person to receive their ballot or designate in writing, another Harford County voter to act as their agent to obtain an absentee ballot.

MUNICIPAL ABSENTEE VOTING:  To obtain an absentee application for voting in the Town of Bel Air, City of Aberdeen or City of Havre de Grace, call the Harford County Election Office at 410-638-3565 to have an application mailed to you.

VOTER REGISTRATION:

For instructions and eligibility requirements:
http://www.elections.state.md.us/voter_registration/

To obtain a copy of the Maryland Voter Registration Application:
http://www.elections.state.md.us/voter_registration/application.html