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Writer's pictureBeltsville News

From the Office of Council Member Tom Dernoga October 2020



District 1 staff doing Census 2020 outreach

Election 2020-Update

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Hogan instructed the State Board of Elections to send every Maryland voter an application to apply for an absentee/vote-by-mail ballot. Because of the changes at the United States Postal Service, our office has heard from many District 1 residents with concerns about this election. Many voters have recently received their ballot application, but you also can apply for an absentee/vote-by-mail ballot by visiting https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration or texting VBM to 77788. For additional information, visit the Prince George's County Board of Election website, elections.mypgc.us.

In-Person Voting

In-person voting will be available, but there will be a reduced number of polling places open, and there may be long lines and waits. Early voting will be available at eleven early voting sites in the c­­­­ounty beginning Monday, October 26, and ending Monday, November 2. Early voting will be from 7 am to 8 pm each day.

Early voting sites in or closest to District 1 are:

• Laurel High School 8000 Cherry Lane, Laurel MD 20707

• The Pavillion at Univ. of MD Xfinity Ctr. 8500 Paint Branch Drive, College Park MD 20740

Election Day Voting

Election Day Voting will be available at 41 early voting sites in the county from 7 am to 8 pm.

Election Day voting sites in or near District 1 are:

•Deerfield Run School Community Center, 13000 Laurel-Bowie Road, Laurel MD 20708

• High Point High School, 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville MD 20705

• Laurel High School, 8000 Cherry Lane, Laurel MD 20707

• The Pavillion at Univ. of MD Xfinity Ctr., 8500 Paint Branch Drive, College Park MD 20740

• Eleanor Roosevelt High School, 7601 Hanover Parkway, Greenbelt MD 20770

• Northwestern High School, 7000 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville MD 20782

• Bowie State University - James Gym, 14000 Jericho Park, Road, Bowie MD 20715

Drop Boxes

Drop boxes will be available at every polling location to drop off your mail-In Ballot. The secure designated Board of Elections drop boxes will be available in late September. These boxes will be controlled by the Board of Elections, and any ballot deposited there will be delivered directly to the Prince George’s County Board of Elections for counting.

Mail-In Ballots

You will not automatically be sent a mail-in ballot, but you should have received an application to request a mail-in ballot, which you will need to fill out and send back if you want a mail-in ballot. You also can apply for an absentee/vote-by-mail ballot online (see link above).

The application for a mail-in ballot must be received by October 20, but because of anticipated possible delays, it is strongly recommended that you submit your ballot application much earlier than the deadline.

Voting by mail (or receiving a mail-in ballot and dropping it off in-person at a designated secure Board of Elections drop-off box) will be the easiest and physically safest way to vote.

Once you receive the ballot, make sure to read the instructions carefully and follow all the directions. Your signature will be needed, but you will not sign the ballot itself.

Mail-in ballots should be sent in as soon as you receive them. To avoid getting caught in any possible delays, the sooner the ballots are returned the better.

Whichever way you choose, the earlier you can return your ballot, the better. The mail-in ballots will come with a postage-paid envelope that should be used to return your ballot. Please exercise your right to vote!

Coronavirus Update

For the latest updates, County residents can visit the County Health Department’s dedicated coronavirus web page: https://tinyurl.com/PGCcoronavirus. If you have any questions or concerns, you may also call the Prince George’s County Health Department coronavirus hotline at 301.883.6627 to receive updated information about the coronavirus disease. Information will be updated as it becomes available.

Please keep in touch! Email us at councildistrict1@co.pg.md.us or call 301.952.3887. Se habla Español. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @TomDernogaD1.

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