MARYLAND — Maryland voters are being encouraged to cast mail-in ballots by drop box.
As reports mount of delayed mail delivery nationwide, drop boxes remain a safe, convenient and reliable way for voters to cast their ballots during the pandemic.
In Maryland, ballots submitted via U.S. mail and postmarked no later than November 3 will be accepted until November 13. Therefore, mail-in ballots that have already been submitted via U.S. Mail are expected to arrive in plenty of time to count.
Moving forward, voters can be assured their properly completed ballots will count if submitted at an authorized ballot drop box before 8 p.m. on November 3.
Voters may drop off their mail-in ballots sealed in the return envelope that accompanies the ballot at any authorized ballot drop box location in their county of residence. Voters are reminded to sign the oath that accompanies the ballot.
Ballot drop boxes are located outside every early voting center in the state. Voters who choose to use drop boxes do not have to wait in early voting lines in order to submit their ballots.
Once open, all ballot drop boxes will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.
Each drop box is under 24/7 security and surveillance to protect against tampering or vandalism. Ballots are collected daily by sworn election officials and taken directly to authorized canvassing locations to maintain a chain of custody and ensure proper processing.
Voters should be aware that all ballot drop boxes are equipped with a padlock that holds the ballot deposit slot open.
Voters should not assume a drop box is “closed” due to the presence of a padlock.
