[Added 2-26-2021 by Ord.
No. 21-08]
A. City elections may utilize vote-by-mail ballot voting. Vote-by-mail
is the process whereby voters submit completed ballots by either mail
or in-person drop-off at a location authorized by the Board of Elections.
B. The City Council may determine by resolution whether vote-by-mail
ballot voting shall be the means of voting. In the event that the
City Council determines that vote-by-mail ballot voting shall be the
means of voting, such an election shall be called a "vote-by-mail
election."
C. In a vote-by-mail election:
(1) The Board of Elections will oversee the entire election;
(2) There will be no absentee ballot process; and
(3) There will be no early voting.
D. In a vote-by-mail election, on Election Day there will only be ballot
drop-off at the Municipal Center from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. There
will be no in-person voting.
E. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, in an election
that uses vote-by-mail ballots, the Board of Elections may begin to
organize the ballots to provide voter history. Votes may not be counted
or tabulated until the polls close on Election Day.
A. Any person qualified to vote in a City election may use a vote-by-mail
ballot pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
B. Mail-in ballots for a general election must be mailed or distributed
no more than thirty (30) days and no less than twenty-four (24) days
prior to an election to which they apply. Postage for transmitting
the ballot material to the voter and postage for the return of ballots
shall be paid for by the City of New Carrollton.
C. The Board will mail notice to all registered voters in the City informing
them of a vote-by-mail election, voting deadlines and dates, and times
when an official ballot can be dropped off as determined by the Board
of Elections. The Board of Elections will also use the City of New
Carrollton's social media platforms and official publications
to provide official notice of any election.
D. All ballots shall show the name of each candidate nominated for elective
office in accordance with the provisions of the City Charter, arranged
in alphabetical order by office with no party or principal designation
of any kind.
E. A mail-in ballot shall be counted only if it is received by the Board
of Elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
F. A registered voter may obtain a replacement ballot if the original
ballot was destroyed, spoiled, lost, or for any reason not received
by the registered voter. A registered voter who obtains a ballot in
accordance with this subsection will be required to sign an affidavit,
in a form approved by the Board of Elections, specifying the reason
for requesting the replacement ballot.
G. If the City receives more than one ballot from a registered voter,
the first ballot received by the City will be the only ballot counted.
H. Any vote-by-mail ballot that contains a vote for a person who has
ceased to be a candidate shall not be counted for that candidate,
but such vote shall not invalidate the remainder of the ballot.
A. The Board shall prescribe the size, form arrangement and printed
contents of vote-by-mail ballots, except that such ballots shall:
(2) Display the heading "Vote-By-Mail Ballot" printed in large letters
in a clear space at the top of each paper ballot;
(3) Display the following instructions printed in large letters in a
clear space below the ballot heading: "Mark ballot by filling in the
proper space after candidate or question. Do not erase or make identifying
marks.";
(4) List candidates by office and then alphabetically by last name within
each office; and
(5) List referendum questions, if any, following the list of candidates
for all offices.
B. The Board shall prescribe the size, form arrangement and printed
contents of the following material, which shall be included with every
vote-by-mail ballot:
(1) Vote-by-mail ballot material envelopes, providing for a covering
envelope, a ballot envelope and a return envelope;
(2) Printed instructions for the marking and casting of vote-by-mail
ballots; and
(3) A certification of assistance form, which form shall be completed
by any person assisting another voter who is unable to mark their
own ballot due to a physical disability.
Completed vote-by-mail ballots may be delivered:
A. By mail to the address designated by the Board; or
B. By hand at the election drop box at the Municipal Center on Election
Day; or
C. To the Board at any other place and time designated by the Board.
A. The Board shall investigate and resolve any written complaint or
contest relating to voting, the validity of any ballot, candidate
certification, violations of this chapter, or other City election
matters within the authority of the Board pursuant to the City Charter
or Code.
B. All complaints must be submitted in writing using a City of New Carrollton
election complaint form. The form can be obtained from the City of
New Carrollton website, under elections, or by calling the City Clerk
to have one mailed. All official complaints must be submitted on the
official form. The forms can be mailed to the City of New Carrollton,
attention: Board of Elections or submitted electionically to: elections@newcarrolltonmd.gov.
C. The Chair of the Board of Elections will officially respond to all
complaints received by the Board of Elections. The Board of Elections
will only respond to official written complaints.
D. When reviewing a complaint or other potential violation within its
authority to review pursuant to this chapter, the Board has the power
to:
(1) Conduct a reasonable investigation;
(2) Conduct one (1) or more hearings;
(3) Adopt reasonable rules and procedures for the conduct of hearings
that are not inconsistent with this chapter;
(4) Summon concerned parties and/or necessary witnesses to hearings;
(8) Implement enforcement actions as provided by this section; and
(9) Extend the time for any hearing and the issuance of any finding,
opinion and/or orders.