The St. Mary's County Board of Elections Office announces that citizens of St. Mary's County who wish to vote in the upcoming Presidential General Election on November 2, 2004, must meet the October 12, 2004 registration deadline. The St. Mary's County Board of Elections Office will be open extended hours, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., on October 12. Voter registration applications must be received in the election office by 9:00 p.m. on October 12. Mailed applications must contain an October 12 postmark from the United States Postal Service to qualify.
Voter registration applications are available at the following locations:
- Board of Elections Office
- Motor Vehicle Administration Office
- State Department of Health Office
- Local Department of Social Services Office
- Department of Aging
- Division of Rehabilitation Services
- Public Institutions of Higher Education
- Clerk of the Circuit Court Office
- Post Office
- Public Libraries
Voter registration applications can be downloaded from the website of the State Board of Elections at www.elections.state.md.us or obtained by calling the St. Mary's County Board of Elections at 301-475-7844 extension 1610.
Citizens may register to vote in person or by mail. Federal law requires that voters who mail in their registration application after January 1, 2003 must provide identification information before casting their vote in the upcoming election. To avoid having to present identification information at the time of voting, voters should send a copy of one of the following items with the registration application to the Board of Elections:
1. A copy of a current or valid photo identification;
2. A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows the voter's name and address.
If the voter is required to provide identification information but fails to do so by October 12, 2004, the voter will be issued a provisional ballot at the polls. The provisional ballot will only be counted if the voter is duly registered and provides the identification information before canvassing of the provisional ballots occurs.
For more information about the voter registration process, please contact the St. Mary's County Board of Elections Office at 301-475-7844 extension 1610 or visit the elections office at their new location, 41650 Tudor Hall Road, next to the Circuit Courthouse in downtown Leonardtown.