Okay, so as informed as I am about politics, I somehow got hit by a moment of ignorance and didn’t realize that I actually had to inform the Board of Elections that I changed my address.
I leave the house at 9:00am to I drive down to the Board of Elections Headquarters, which is about a 30-minute drive. I am told that my name is on the list at Broadneck High School, and I can vote there. Good. It’s about a 15-minute drive. No sweat.
So I get to Broadneck High, and they can’t find my ballot there. I go to the Chief Election Judge, who informs me that I need to go to the Broadneck Library. I’m a tad miffed at this point, but it’s okay. The library’s just on the other side of the parking lot.
I get to the library. They find my card. I am relieved. Finally, I can vote. But wait.
Chief Election Judge: “Did you move over 21 days before the election?”
Yours Truly: “Yes.” :smack:
CEJ: “Okay, then, you have to fill out a provisional ballot.”
YT: “Well, will it be counted?”
CEJ: “I can’t guarantee that it will, but it should.” (She notes the steam rising from my head at this point.)
YT: “You’re telling me that you can’t guarantee my vote will be counted??” (I know this poor woman didn’t make the rules, but I am nearly screaming at her at this point.)
CEJ: “That’s the best I can do, sir. Your ballot will be sealed. Myself and the Republican Judge will drive it to the Board of Elections and sign for it. It’s completely safe. Your original paper here will go with the ballot, so they’ll know you are registered.”
YT: “Alright, whatever. I’ll just do it.”
So I sit down and start to fill out the provisional ballot. Good thing I read the directions first.
YT: “You gave me a pen. It says I have to do this in No. 2 pencil.”
Provisional Ballot Judge: “Oh, my fault. Here you go.” :smack:
So I fill out the required circles, double-check everything, stick in the envelope, and seal it. I then put the whole thing in a locked sack. I notice my original paper is sitting there on the table.
YT: “Doesn’t that need to be sealed with my ballot?”
PBJ: “Just put it in the sack. They’ll match up the ballots with the papers.” (Are you kidding me?)
I put my paper in the sack, stand up without saying a word, and walk out of the library with my head shaking. This is the sloppiest, least accountable method of voting I’ve ever seen. As I jealously watched other Marylanders simply and gleefully voting on the touch-screen machines, I realize that I would have an easier time voting if I were a three-times-convicted rapist. The only way of knowing if my vote was counted is an 800 number which I will call tomorrow. I’m already going to call the Board of Elections to file a complaint. God help them if my vote wasn’t counted.
Adam