Early voting begins in Maryland tomorrow

    Early voting has transformed our elections in the past 10 years.  It estimated that 40% of the electorate will vote before the November 6th election day.  This percentage compares with 15% in 2000.  The lines of past presidential elections made early voting a logical way to provide easier access to voting without the election day problems.  I remember waiting for over two hours to vote in 1976.  Adding weekend days for voting also helps insure that people are not required to vote on a traditional workday.

     Maryland is also one of the 35 states that allows you to vote by absentee ballot without having to have a reason for voting this way.  Two states, Oregon and Washington State,  have only mailed voting. The convenience of not having to leave your home to vote is certainly for those without transportation or having health issues with mobility.  You can request an absentee ballot until Oct. 30th.  You can make an email request until 11:59 p.m. on the 30th at gmickley@howardcountymd.gov or faxing to 410-313-5833

    Here in Howard County there are three places to start voting tomorrow.  The Bain Senior Center in Columbia, the Ellicott City Senior Center and Ridgely's Run Community Center in Jessup are the locations for early voting.  If you are a registered voter in Howard County you can vote at any of the locations.  Starting tomorrow the 27th voting will continue through Thursday, November 1, 2012.
Early voting centers will be open from 10 am until 8 pm each day of early voting except on Sundays, when early voting centers will be open 12pm to 6pm.

P.S.
This week's music video highlights Van Morrison an Irish musician/song writer who has been popular from the 1960's to the present.  Here are a couple examples of his songs--There Will Days Like This and Someone Like You.