* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Pinkett
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Creating Another Early Voting Polling Place in West Baltimore
For the purpose of endorsing the creation of another early voting polling place in West Baltimore.
body
Recitals
Early voting in America is key to ensuring that people have the opportunity to vote. Unlike in many countries, Election Day is not a holiday in the U.S. On Election Day in 2018, polls in Baltimore City were open from 7 AM to 8 PM. City residents who work multiple jobs and lack easy access to child care or transportation can have difficulty going to the polls during those hours on a single day.
To prevent the silencing of those individuals, Baltimore City has 8 days in which residents can visit early polling places and cast their votes. Early voting is the only way some citizens can make it to the polls. Early voting is a tradition for some residents in the City; for example, many churches will provide transportation for their parishioners to go to an early voting polling place. While residents can also vote with absentee ballots, this is less simple than visiting an early voting polling place. Residents who wish to vote with absentee ballots must request an absentee ballot in advance and mail the ballot back. In addition, people who vote by absentee ballot do not have access to assistance from another person in filling out the ballot, even if assistance is needed.
Early voting is important to preserving the rights of Baltimore City residents. There is currently only 1 early voting polling place in West Baltimore, and 7 in the City total. The representatives of District 40 support the creation of another early voting polling place in West Baltimore. It is important that another early voting polling place is available for citizens to visit in West Baltimore so that all Baltimore City residents can exercise their right to vote.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Baltimore City Council endorses the creation of another early voting polling place in West Baltimore.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Director of the Baltimore City Board of Elections, the State Administrator of the Maryland State Board of Elections, the Delegation from Maryland District 40, the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council, and the Mayor.