Worcester County provides election information
By Bob Lassahn

On September 12 Maryland voters will cast their ballots in the Gubernatorial Primary Election to decide the final lineup for November's Gubernatorial General Election. The following are some things every voter should know about voting. The information has been compiled from county and state sources.

Voter Registration and Absentee Ballots
For those who have not registered to vote it is too late to do so for the primary election. Registration to vote in the primary closed on August 22. Those who need to register to vote in the general election will have until October 17 to file. Voter registration applications are available at all libraries, post offices, Motor Vehicle Department (MVD), schools, city halls and state offices, or you can call the Board of Elections and request an application be mailed.  Persons who will be 18 years of age by November 7, 2006 are eligible to vote.

The deadline to obtain an Absentee Ballot for the primary election by mail expired on September 5. After that date those seeking an Absentee Ballot must report in person to the local Board of Elections where the voter resides. Absentee Ballot applications must be submitted no later than 7 days before an election and a person must be a registered voter to request and vote by Absentee Ballot.

An Absentee Ballot application may be obtained from the local Board of Elections or is available online at www.elections.state.md.us. Completed Absentee Ballots must be received on or before Election Day. The absentee ballots are usually available 30 days prior to the election and must be returned allowing ample time for mailing the application and returning the ballot.

Where to Vote
Each voter is assigned a district and precinct based upon their residence. If uncertain about the district and precinct a voter should contact the local Board of Elections for guidance. The following is the list of polling places for the 2006 elections.

Worcester County 2006 Polling Places by District/Precinct
(Your district and precinct are noted on your voter card)
1/1: Pocomoke High School (cafeteria), 1817 Old Virginia Rd. Pocomoke City
1/2: Pocomoke Elementary School (cafeteria), 2119 Pocomoke Beltway, Pocomoke City
1/3: First Baptist Church (social hall), 5912 Taylor Landing Rd. Girdletree
2/1: Snow Hill Middle School (cafeteria), 5719 Coulbourne Lane Dr. Snow Hill
2/2: Newark Fire Dept. (meeting room), 8338 Newark Road, Newark
2/3: Stephen Decatur Middle School (cafeteria), 9815  Seahawk Rd, Berlin
3/1: Ocean City Elementary School, 12828 Center Dr. West Ocean City
3/2: Ocean City Lions Club, 12534 Airport Rd. Berlin
3/3: Berlin Intermediate School (cafeteria),309 Franklin Ave. Berlin
4/1: Stockton Fire Dept. (meeting room),1501 Snow Hill Rd. Stockton
4/2: Snow Hill Elementary School, 5708 Coulbourne Lane Dr. Snow Hill
4/3: Showell Fire Dept. (meeting room), 11620 Worcester Hwy. Showell
5/1: Ocean Pines South Fire Dept. 911 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines
5/2: Ocean Pines library (meeting room), 11107 Cathell Rd. Ocean Pines
6/1: Ocean Pines Community Hall (meeting room), 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines
6/2: Showell Elementary School (cafeteria), 11318 Showell School Rd. Showell
6/3: Bishopville Fire Department (meeting room),10719 Bishopville Rd. Bishopville
7/1: Roland E Powell Convention Center (Trimper Exhibit Room), Coastal Highway
Identification
When presenting themselves to vote each individual is compared against a list of registered voters for that district and precinct. Under certain circumstances a voter may be asked by an election judge to present identification.

A voter may be requested to present identification if they are voting for the first time in Maryland or they registered to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003 and have not previously met the identification requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act.

Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's license; Motor Vehicle Administration issued identification card or at least the last four digits of the voter's social security number. Also accepted are a student, employee, or military identification cards, U.S. passports, or any other state or federal government issued identification cards or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the voter's name and address.

Early voting cancelled
On August 25 the Maryland Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling declaring early voting in violation of the Constitution of Maryland. As a result any eligible voter planning to vote early must now either vote at their assigned polling place on Election Day or vote by absentee ballot.

Candidate disqualified
On August 25 the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that Tom Perez, Democratic candidate for the office of attorney general, does not meet the requirements established by the Maryland Constitution to hold that office. Any vote cast for Mr. Perez will not be counted.

For further information contact the Worcester County Board of Elections, Patricia D. Jackson, election director, 100 Belt St. Snow Hill, MD 21863-1310; phone: (410) 632-1320; fax: (410) 632-3031; e-mail: pjackson01@hotmail.com.

Election information is also available on the web at: www.worc.lib.md.us/elections.

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