Board of Elections

At its Monday May 16, 2022 meeting, the Howard County Board of Elections approved changing the location of the polling place for District/Precinct 06-04 from Atholton Elementary School, 6700 Seneca Dr, Columbia, MD 21046 to Clemens Crossing Elementary School, 10320 Quarterstaff Rd, Columbia, MD 21044.

Howard County Polling Place List for 2022 Gubernatorial Elections - DRAFT revised 05-13-2022 (PDF)

At its Monday April 25, 2022 meeting, the Howard County Board of Elections approved the polling places, early voting centers and mail-in ballot drop box locations for the 2022 Gubernatorial election that are provided in the drafts below.

Early Voting Center Locations for 2022 Gubernatorial Elections (PDF)

Mail-in Ballot Drop Box Locations for 2022 Gubernatorial Elections (PDF)

Public Notice - Revised 11/24/2021

At its meeting on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, the Howard County Board of Elections approved changing the location of three Early Voting Centers, changing the location of three ballot drop boxes, and adding four new ballot drop box locations as listed in the following notice:

Public Notice re Approval for Changing Three Howard County Early Voting Centers (PDF) (corrected)

Regular Date and Time

Regular Open Board Meetings are the fourth Monday of each month at 4:00 PM unless otherwise noted. All meetings are subject to change.

2022 Election Board Meeting Schedule (PDF) - Revised 04/20/2022

Upcoming Meeting

The next meeting of the Howard County Board of Elections is scheduled for Monday June 27, 2022 at 4:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public and will be held online virtually via Google Meet.

Board Meeting - Official Announcement (PDF)

Tentative Agenda (PDF)

To join the Board meeting via Google Meet, click the "Join via Google Meet" button below or copy and paste https://meet.google.com/fns-jxvo-fxg into your browser.

To join the meeting by phone, call +1 413-679-2337 (PIN: 253 939 388).

Location

Board meetings will be held virtually, until further notice.

Howard County Board of Elections
9770 Patuxent Woods Dr, Suite 200
Columbia, MD 21046

Inclement Weather Policy

If Howard County Schools are closed and/or all evening activities are cancelled, the Howard County Board of Elections (Board) will not hold their fourth (4th) Monday Open Session Meeting. The Board will notify the public of the rescheduled date, time and location.

Donna K Thewes - President
Ann M Balcerzak, Esq - Vice President
Diane L Butler - Member
Timothy J. Mummert, Esq. - Member
Raymond M Rankin - Member
Eric C. Brousaides, Esq. - Counsel

2022

Meeting Minutes - January 24, 2022 (PDF)

Special Meeting Minutes - February 17 2022 (PDF)

Meeting Minutes - February 28, 2022 (PDF)

Meeting Minutes - April 25, 2022 (PDF)

Special Open Meeting Minutes - May 16, 2022 (PDF)

The State Board does not have regulatory authority over the placement or location of campaign signs. However, there are State and local laws that regulate where and when you can put up campaign signs.

Placement of signs on State roads and highways is regulated by the State Highway Administration. For Howard County, contact the following District Office to obtain additional information:

5111 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
(301) 624-8122 or (800) 635-5119

Placement of signs on city and county roads and on public property in the cities and counties is regulated by local ordinances. According to Subtitle 5 - Signs, Section 3.503 - Exemptions of the Howard County Code of Ordinances:

(f) Political Campaign Signs. Signs announcing candidates seeking public political office and other data pertaining thereto shall be permitted up to a total area of nine square feet for each premises in a residential district and 32 square feet in a commercial or industrial district. These signs shall be located only on private property and shall be no less than 15 feet from the nearest edge of the pavement and no less than 100 feet from the nearest curb intersection of any street or road. These signs may be displayed 60 days prior to and seven days after the election for which intended. In cases where a final election follows within 75 days of a primary election, those candidates who won in the primary election may continue to display their signs during the interim period and up to seven days after the final election.

It is acceptable for candidates to use any combination of their name on a political sign, as long as it appears on their Certificate of Candidacy. For example, John Smith can have signs that say: "Vote for John," "Vote for Smith," or "Vote for John Smith."

No. Political signs do not require a permit, but they may not be placed in the median or within SHA right-of-way, just as other signs are prohibited. Signs may not be posted more than 45 days prior to any election. Unsuccessful candidates in the primary election must remove their signs within 15 days after the primary. All signs must be removed within 15 days after the general election. Political signs are prohibited along interstate highways.

According to EL § 10-101(a)(3)(iii)(2) campaign signs can be posted at polling places, including Early Voting Centers, at 5:00 pm on the day before election day or the day before early voting starts. All campaign signs must be removed from polling places and Early Voting Centers by 8:00 am the day after election day or the day after early voting ends.

Generally, you must be registered with either the Democratic or Republican party to vote in the primary election. If there are non-partisan offices that are elected in a primary election (i.e., school board), any voter can vote for these offices. Contact your local board of elections for additional information.