Though provisional and absentee ballots are both paper ballots in Maryland, they are very different. An absentee ballot is a ballot cast in advance of the election because the voter is unable to make it to the polls.
A provisional ballot is a ballot cast at a polling place when there is there is some question as to whether the person is registered to vote or some other potential problem verifying the voter's eligibility.
Absentee Ballots
Though all Marylanders who are registered to vote may vote using an absentee ballot, they must affirm in a written oath that they "will be absent or unable to vote in person in the election."
Absentee voters must first submit an application for an absentee ballot to their local board of elections. by 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the election (if the application is mailed) and . 11:59 p.m. the Tuesday before the election (if this application is faxed). After that deadline, a Late Application for Absentee Ballot may be completed in person at the board of elections.
Download an Application for a Maryland Absentee Ballot
However, voters who submit it earlier than the deadline will receive the absentee ballots sooner. Typically, absentee ballots are sent our three weeks prior to the election.
A voter who unexpectedly is too ill to come to the polls or in the hospital may authorize an agent (who must be 18 years or older and not a candidate in the race) to apply for a Late Application for Absentee Ballot at their local board of elections office.
Filling Out an Absentee Ballot
Follow the instructions for filling out the ballot carefully. Some important things to note include:- Check to see if both sides of your ballot are printed.
- Use a No. 2 pencil. If you use something else, your vote may not be counted.
- Fill in the ovals completely.
- Do not sign or put any identification on the ballot.
- Write-in voting is permitted only in general elections not primaries.
Provisional Voting
Provisional voting is a safeguard to help ensure that no eligible voter is denied the right to vote. If there is a problem verifying a voter's eligibility , he or she can cast a provisional vote, which will be counted if local election board can verify that the person is eligible and registered to vote. . Reasons that a person might cast a provisional ballot include:- Name is not on the precinct's voter registry because voter moved within the state of Maryland and did not update voter registration. (Provisional ballots must be cast in the voter's current voting precinct to be counted.)
- Identification is required, and voter is not able to provide it. ID is required when this is the first time the person has voted in Maryland or the voter has not previously met identification requirements. Identification must be supplied before the first Monday after the election for the provisional ballot to be counted.
- Records indicate that you received an absentee ballot. If you have not voted already, you may cast a provisional ballot. It is illegal to vote twice.
- Your right to vote was challenged by a poll watcher. Poll watchers, who are registered voters designated by a candidate or political party to watch the polls, may challenge your identity. If this happens, the voter must swear out an affidavit affirming his or her identy, and the poll watcher swears one citing the reason for the challenge.
- If poll hours are extended by court order, those voting after the regular close of polls must vote by provisional ballot.
