Election 2012: Early Voting, Ballot Initiatives and More
September 28, 2012 
Comments Off
There is a little less than three weeks left to register to vote in the 2012 elections. This year, besides voting for President, U.S. Senate and U.S. House, Maryland voters will have an opportunity to vote on a number of ballot questions. These ballot question topics include gay marriage, removal of public officials convicted of crimes, table games at slots casinos, undocumented immigrants’ tuition rates and more.
The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 16. A form to register can be found here.
Early voting will begin on Saturday Oct. 27 and run through Thursday Nov. 1. In South County, early voting will take place at the Edgewater branch of the Anne Arundel County Public Library, 25 Stepney Lane in Edgewater. Voting will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 27, 29 and Nov. 1. On Sunday, Oct. 28, hours will be 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The General Election will be held on Nov. 6 at traditional precincts. If you are registered to vote, you will receive a sample ballot in the mail which will tell you of your polling place.
Here is a rundown of the ballot:
| Federal Races: President |
|
| Barack Obama (D)/Joe Biden (D) | Mitt Romney (R)/Paul Ryan (R) |
| U.S. Senate | |
| Ben Cardin (D) of Baltimore, is the incumbent. He defeated Lt. Gov. Michael Steele in 2006 for the seat of retired Paul Sarbanes. National Journal ranks Cardin as the third most liberal senator serving today. On environment, Cardin supports alternative energy and regulatory efforts to clean up the Bay. | Daniel Bongino(R) of Severna Park wants to simplify the tax code; prioritize education; reform immigration and health care. Supports the environment, but not protections that burden business. Received Sarah Palin endorsement in mid-August.Rob Sobhani (I) of Potomac wants to hold himself to a term-limited tenure. A professor and author, Sobhani wants to focus on building health care infrastructure and research, to disentangle American energy interests and pursue more renewable sources. Make English the official language. Simplify the tax code. |
| U.S. House of Representatives | |
| Donna Edwards (D), of Charles County, is the incumbent. Edwards supports jobs and job training, enhancing STEM education programs; and on jobs making research and investment tax credits permanent. On the environment, Edwards supports updates to the Clean Air Act. | Faith Loudon (R) of Davidsonville supports traditional values, jobs, tax reform, controlled spending, education reform and tough immigration enforcement. There was no category for environment on the issues area of her website. |
| Steny Hoyer (D), of Calvert County, is the incumbent and the Minority Whip in the the U.S. House of Representatives. Hoyers position on most issues hews to the Democratic party line. On the environment he supports “environmental standards that keep our land, air and water clean.” | Tony O’Donnell (R) top issues on his website include balanced budget amendment for federal spending; preserve the sanctity of marriage; border security; deregulate industry to help business; repeal health care reform. |
| Maryland State Races: | |
| Governor (up in 2014/no race this cycle) | |
| Comptroller (up in 2014/no race this cycle) | |
| State Senate/State House (up in 2014/no race this cycle) | |
| Couny Executive (up in 2014/no race this cycle) | |
| County Council (up in 2014/no race this cycle) | |
In Anne Arundel County, Judge of the Circuit Court, Judge for the Court of Special Appeals and Board of Education members face retention votes. These individuals have been appointed and are serving their terms. Vote YES to retain them. Vote NO to remove these individuals from office.
Ballot Questions
Question 1: Prince George’s Orphans Court
- FOR vote requires that these judges be admitted to the Maryland Bar
- AGAINST maintains the current law (no such qualifications)
Question 2: Baltimore Orphans Court
- FOR vote requires that these judges be admitted to the Maryland Bar
- AGAINST maintains the current law (no such qualifications)
Question 3: Suspension and Removal of Elected Officials.
- FOR means public officials that are found guilty are removed from office.
- AGAINST retains the current law, where public officials are removed only when a conviction becomes final.
Question 4: Public Institutions of Higher Education-Tuition Rates.
- FOR means that undocumented immigrant students who meet certain criteria (pay taxes, graduate from a Maryland high school, register with selective service, etc.) can be eligible to pay in-state tuition rates at community colleges and state universities.
- AGAINST means that undocumented immigrants continue to pay (higher) out-of-state rates.
Question 5: Congressional Districting Plan.
- FOR keeps the current legislative redistricting map that was approved after the 2010 Census. This map is considered to be a gerrymander.
- AGAINST tosses the current map and requires the legislature and governor to try again in time for the 2014 election.
Question 6: Civil Marriage Protection Act
- FOR allows gays and lesbians to obtain a civil marriage license; protects clergy from conducting a marriage that violates their beliefs and affirms that each religious faith maintains control over theological doctrine.
- AGAINST would maintain the current law, where marriage/civil union between two people of the same gender is not permitted.
Question 7: Gaming Expansion Referendum
- FOR permits slots gaming operations to operate table games (craps, blackjack, etc.), and to expand the the number of slots terminals at existing operations and to permit one additional facility to open in Prince George’s County.
- AGAINST keeps the slots parlors operating as they are currently licensed.
Local Ballot Initiatives
Questions A through O involve charter amendments that were recommended to and passed the Anne Arundel County Council. Some of these questions bring current practices in line with the county’s owner’s manual—known as the charter. For example, permitting the County Council to use electronic communication in budget conversations. Vote FOR to affirm these questions.
Comments are closed.