SHARING AS REQUESTED:
Dear Neighbors,
Did you know that beginning with the April 2016 elections and for the
foreseeable future Maryland voters will be using paper ballots?
Yes, starting this election cycle Maryland will be using a new voting
system. Specifically, the state is returning to paper ballots, and
the voting booth will be quite different from what you and your
family have been accustomed.
Due to discrepancies and voting irregularities in elections using the
Diebold system, in 2007 the Maryland State Legislature voted to
return to paper ballots for every voter to have a paper trail as evidence
of voting selection. However, the state did not have the funding until
2015 to enact the legislature’s desire to return to paper ballots. The
State has invested millions of dollars in a new voting system that will
optically scan paper ballots.
For the upcoming April primary elections, there will be a two-step
process for those voting early between April 14-21, 2016. However,
a different voting machine will be used on the Maryland State Primary
Election Day, April 26, 2016 and thereafter.
The machine use is rather simple. However, I recommend that everyone
be educated on the new voting system. The Allentown Recreation
Council and a group of South County residents are hosting a
demonstration on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at
Friendly High School, 10000 Allentown Road, Ft. Washington, MD.
However, there are many other demonstrations in South County that
may be more convenient for you, including the following:
February 10, 2016 Ft. Foote Baptist Church, 8310 Ft. Foot Road, Ft. Washington, MD, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
February 21, 2016 St. Johns Episcopal Church, 9801 Livingston Road, Ft. Washington, MD, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
February 22, 2016 Allentown Recreation Council, Friendly High School, 10000 Allentown Road, Ft. Washington, MD, 7-8 p.m.
February 24, 2016, Greater Accokeek Civic Association, Accokeek Fire Department, 6111 Livingston Road, Accokeek, MD, 7-8 p.m.
February 25, 2016, Community Outreach Development Center, Greenhill Shopping Center, 4715 Marlboro Pike, Capitol Heights, MD, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
February 28, 2016, Mt. Ennon Baptist Church, 9832 Piscataway Road, Clinton, MD, 9:30-11:45 a.m.
March 2, 2016, District V Coffee Club, Colony South Hotel, Clinton, MD 9:00 a.m.
Information on these and other demonstrations in the central and northern parts of the County can be found at: www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/Elections/Calendar/Pages/default.aspx
Please share with your neighbors.
Staying engaged and keeping you informed and educated,
Tamara Davis Brown