Council President Calls on Governor to Mail All Eligible Voters a Mail-In Ballot

Council President Calls on Governor to Mail All Eligible Voters a Mail-In Ballot

Council President to Participate in Hearing on November Election Today at 5PM

BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, July 15) — In a letter sent today, Baltimore City Council President Brandon M. Scott called on Governor Hogan to mail every eligible voter a mail-in ballot for the November 3 General Election. On July 8, the Governor requested that all eligible voters be mailed an application to request an absentee ballot. 

“Forcing Marylanders to submit multiple mailings so that they can exercise their right to vote by mail will lead to unnecessary confusion and reduce voter participation,” writes the Council President in the letter. “I urge you to reconsider your July 8 guidance, and to direct the SBE to mail all eligible voters a ballot that they may submit by mail for the November 3 election.”

In a statement, the Council President stressed the importance of making decisions according to current public health guidance. “The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, with cases on the rise and public health experts predicting a second wave by fall. Saying the election can go on as normal conveys a false idea to Marylanders that this pandemic is over or actually not that bad. This decision is simply not in the best interest of public health, the voters, or our election workers.”

Today at 5PM, the Legislative Investigations Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the Board of Elections to ensure preparedness for the upcoming General Election on November 3, 2020. Anyone wishing to testify should join using the information listed on Legistar. The hearing will be available to watch on CharmTV. 

The Council President continued, “The administration of the June Primary Election undermined public confidence, particularly when so many Baltimore City ballots arrived late or not at all. We have to make sure all mail issues are resolved and all voters are well-informed about the upcoming election. Despite the issues, Baltimore City had record turnout. Requiring voters who wish to vote by mail to complete a two step process is not the answer to the issues presented in the June Primary and will prove to disenfranchise voters. All active voters should be mailed a ballot and allowed to vote by mail as it is the safest way to do so during the worst pandemic in decades.”

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