There is still quite a while before the Greenbelt city election (Tuesday, November 2), but some deadlines might be closer than you think. This year for the first time the city is offering mail-in voting, in response to how successful it was in Maryland’s elections last year, as well as in response to the ongoing threat presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Voters who wish to vote by mail will need to take some action soon but will then be rewarded later by having their ballot arrive at their door. As was explained in the postcard mailed to registered voters earlier this year, on Tuesday, September 7 the city expects to mail out an application form to all currently registered voters for them to request a mail-in ballot if they want it. Those who wish to receive their ballot by mail should fill out the application form and mail it back to the city by Monday, September 27. Those who prefer to use a different voting method should not return the application form, since once a ballot is issued to a voter, the voter should use that form to vote.
Voters who do return their application to request a ballot will receive their ballot by mail. They can mail the executed ballot to City Clerk Bonita Anderson at 25 Crescent Road, Greenbelt 20770, or they can put it in the locked-drop at the east door (the one closest to the flag poles) of the Municipal Building.
Voters who request mail-in ballots by mail should also be aware that no ballots will be sent out or distributed prior to Friday, October 8. Applications must reach the city clerk no later than noon on Monday, November 1. To be counted, ballots must be received by the city clerk no later than 6 p.m. on Election Day, November 2.
While the city and county are both strongly encouraging voters to take advantage of the availability of mail-in voting, there is no pressure to do so. All of what have come to be thought of as Greenbelt’s usual voting methods will be available as well, including a number of sites for early voting and for in-person voting at one’s precinct on Election Day. Information on those dates and locations will be published in a later issue of this paper.