By Peyton Stinnett
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Already 1.5 million Marylanders have voted and the state Board of Elections is working overtime to assure remaining voters that ballot drop boxes across the state will be secure through next Tuesday.
“Using ballot drop boxes is a safe and convenient way to exercise your right to vote,” said Linda Lamone, an administrator at the Board of Elections.
Voters are battling both the COVID-19 pandemic and the fierce race between Republican President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat. To avoid crowds that would require strict adherence to 6-feet distancing and the wearing of mask, many Maryland voters have taken advantage of early voting and mail-in ballots.
Election officials estimate 1.5 million Maryland residents have voted already, including just over 1.1 million sending in mail-in ballots. Maryland has 4 million eligible voters. Nearly 1.7 million Maryland voters requested mail-in ballots this election season as voter safety amid the pandemic and threats of violence at certain spots spark worry.
“I decided to use a drop box for my ballot to avoid as many people as possible,” said Terry Flynn, a Harford County resident. “I have already heard that early voting centers have long waits and I definitely do not want to wait until Election Day.”
With this election, officials report that destruction of ballot drop boxes have occurred across the country. But, the Maryland Board of Elections has created tight security measures to make sure this doesn’t happen in the state.
“Because the drop boxes remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, voters can cast their ballots at whatever time is most convenient for them,” Lamone said. “Since ballots are collected daily, voters can also rest assured their vote will be received and counted by the deadline.”
There are 284 drop off ballot boxes at 283 locations, and 81 early voting centers in Maryland, officials said.
“I’ve always voted on Election Day but this year I am doing early voting so I can get it out of the way and not have to worry about bigger crowds,” said Matt Sweitzer, a Harford County resident.
While early voting in Maryland will end Nov. 2, mail-in ballots still can be dropped off at ballot drop boxes until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.