long lines in MD/absentee ballot question

[Anonymous]

Is anyone concerned about long lines at the polls on Tuesday in Maryland this year?

I'm a little worried, just because I do not know what to expect -- looks like this year people are expecting higher than usual turnout, which is great! But.... I will have my 3 year old home from school that day. In the past the lines at my polling place have sometimes been pretty long. I don't mind bringing DD if it is less than an hour's wait, but longer than that will get tricky, and I guess I just don't know how to gauge how long the lines will be this year.

So I looked into the possibility of absentee balloting in MD. It seems I could apply for one on Monday (download from the internet a "late" absentee ballot), but I have to swear an oath that I will be "unable to vote in person". But I can't find (on the website) a definition of what it means to be "unable to vote in person". (Does having child care issues count?)

I certainly would not want to be guilty of voter fraud! On the other hand, I want my vote to count but am concerned that if there are extremely long lines, I could show up at midday to vote, and need to leave at 3 to pick up my other child from school. Of course, I could try to arrange extra care with some friends, BUT -- they will also be needing to vote and deal with childcare issues of their own.

So ... just wondered if anyone had any ideas, or actual knowledge on this issue!

[Anonymous]

I can't make it to the polls to vote in person because of childcare issues and work. It would just not be possible unless I took leave from work, so I am voting absentee.

[Anonymous]

I believe you do qualify for absentee balloting, but I can't cite to anything in writing for you. If it applies to people who can't get away from work, it should apply to mothers who don't have someone who will watch their child for an unspecified period of time while they stand in line for hours. No child should be expected to wait in an hours-long line, and no parent should be expected to make them. I think you should take the chance, and woe be to the officials who try to claim that you were not eligible for absentee voting, because I think there are many who would take up your cause and get them to back down. The publicity for them would be terrible.

[Anonymous]

I voted in Montg. Co at the board of elections today (rockville), 751 twinbrook parkway and the process was seamless and literally took 25 minutes.
I will also be unable to vote in person on tues (FYI no one asked me why) and all you do is show up and they give you a paper absentee ballot.
The oath pledge did not specify all of the given reasons one could not vote on election day. Quite frankly, i dont think anyone cares if you cant vote on 11/4 due to work, financial, childcare, illness, transportation or other reasons...
All that matters is one person, one vote!

[Anonymous]

Just remember to vote for the early voting ballot to make it easier for all of us next time around...

[Anonymous]

The polls are opened for 13 hours on Tuesday (maybe longer in your precinct)! Surely, you can find a time slot to vote.

Obviously, the "busy" times are the AM as people vote before work and the PM as people stop in after work. So, maybe mid day is best for you.

I have a wiggly 18 mo. old (so I understand your predicament) so I'll be going at 6am when my DH is still home and can watch DC. - yea, it sucks to have to go that early, but it's one time and this is important to me (voting every year is important to me though).

[Anonymous]

I can certainly find an hour to vote, I'm just worried about the wait being longer and unpredictable. Two hours would be really difficult with a small child, and if it was longer than that, good night! It is the uncertainty more than anything else that, well, makes it hard to schedule around a young child.

I can't go in the early hours -- DH has to vote early in the AM so he can get off to work by 7:30. I have an older child to get to school at 8. 8 to about 10 I've heard is a crowded time, so I'm trying to avoid that with my daughter.

I will try at around 10:30, I have heard rumors that the polling place is ready for and anticipating a larger turnout than normal, and also I found out that they will allow me to leave the lines if I have a small child without losing my place (same as they do for disabled voters) so that will help immensely if the wait is very long.