Put early voting on your to-do list!

Ashley Egan
4 hours ago
2 min read

As people of faith, we understand that voting is not just a civic duty but a nearly sacred act, a way to express our values, advocate for justice, and uphold the dignity of all. Unfortunately, recent shenanigans have raised concerns that our voices may be silenced. Here is some information to help you exercise your rights and help us create a Maryland that honors the inherent worth and dignity of ALL Marylanders...

Early Voting will begin in Maryland tomorrow, Thursday, June 11th. If you have not registered to vote, the deadline to register to vote has passed. However, you can still vote by registering in-person, just bring your Identification to your County's Early Voting Center or to your polling place on Election Day on June 23rd.

This month, HB 1001/CH 467 - Election Law - Authority at Polling Places, Early Voting Centers, and Counting Centers - Revisions went into effect. This law grants the State Elections Administrator and local election directors the ability to direct law-enforcement authorities inside polling environments. These election officials can now independently order the arrest of any individual who disrupts the peace or attempts to intimidate voters. It also updates rules for partisan “challengers and watchers,” allowing election officials to limit their access to polling places. This law should make voters feel more comfortable voting in person (beginning with the primary) since election officials will be in firm control of polling places and can better protect them from any intimidation by outsiders.

A few years ago, Maryland passed a bill that allows people who have been convicted of a felony to register to vote. They must have completed serving their court-ordered sentence of imprisonment to be eligible and this law does not pertain to people who are convicted of buying or selling votes.

Maryland UU The Vote Updates:

Over the next few months, UULM-MD will continue to work with the statewide UU Democracy in Action coalition. Established in 2024, the Coalition meets virtually on the second Thursday of every month, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Participants have found it a beneficial way to connect with other UU democracy leaders across Maryland, share ideas and resource materials, and collaborate on get-out-the-vote activities.

Planning is underway for repeating our successful 2024 postcard campaign in which UU congregations wrote specially-designed postcards to newly registered young adults to encourage them to vote in the statewide election, as well as other activities.

Our UU efforts are stronger when we support one another and work together, so please join us! If you'd like to get call-in details for the next Coalition meeting on June 11th, please contact Emily Untermeyer at rockvilledemocracy@gmail.com.