Observing Elections and Vote Counting in Howard County: What You Need to Know

Are you interested in observing the voting process or vote counting in Howard County? If so, you need to be aware of the restrictions and regulations that apply. The Board of Elections is responsible for ensuring that all federal, state, and local elections are conducted in a timely, responsible manner with the highest level of professional electoral standards, responsibility, security, and integrity. This article will provide an overview of the rules and regulations that apply to observing elections and vote counting in Howard County.If you're interested in observing the voting process or vote counting in Howard County, you need to be aware of the restrictions and regulations that apply. The Board of Elections is responsible for ensuring that all federal, state, and local elections are conducted with the highest level of professional electoral standards, responsibility, security, and integrity.

This article will provide an overview of the rules and regulations that apply to observing elections and vote counting in Howard County.

Can I Watch the Voting Process?

According to Section 10-311 of the Election Act article, certain people are allowed to enter a voting center. You can vote early in person at your county elections office for a period leading up to the election (30 days before the primary or general elections and 15 days for all other elections). The day before the election is the last day to vote early in person.In cases where final elections are held within 75 days of the primary election, candidates who have won the primary elections can continue to display their posters during the interim period and up to seven days after the final election. We suggest that everyone return their ballot by mail as soon as possible and offer to return the ballot at the County Elections Office.

All early voting ballots, whether delivered in person or carried in the county box or by mail, must arrive before the polls close on Election Day.In accordance with a court agreement that required voter verification of ballots, the Provisional Board of Elections chose printed ballots and electoral district scanners as the county's electoral systems. All ballots returned in person are stored at the Electoral Office before being transported to the election warehouse.

Early Voting Requests

All county elections offices will accept early voting requests up to 120 days before the statewide primary, general, or special elections. You can also scan or take a picture of your signed application and email it to your county elections official. Arrange with the county elections official to receive a replacement ballot if it is determined that your ballots were lost, destroyed, spoiled, or never received.

Election Results

The results are available for the primary and general elections and, in some cases, the reports are available in PDF or Excel format.

The voter will also be asked to sign a form confirming that they want to mail in their ballot and vote in person, and that they have not voted before in this election. If your ballots don't arrive, contact the county clerk or election commissioner to confirm the date and address the ballots were mailed to.

Returning Ballots

The return envelope containing the ballots can be mailed to the County Elections Office or returned by personal delivery, with an agent, or through a courier service to the county office or mailbox. The results of the state elections, current and past, are available on the website of the State Electoral Board.

Posters

Candidates who do not pass the primary elections must remove their posters within 15 days after the primary election. However, regular early voting ballots are not sent or voted on until at least 35 days before the primary or general elections and 15 days before all other elections.