By Nicole D. Batey,
Special to the AFRO
In an order issued on March 15, The Maryland Court of Appeals has postponed the state’s Gubernatorial Primary Election from June 28 to July 19, shortening the general election season, amid legal challenges to redistricting.
The state’s high court acted as a series of continuing legal challenges to what the final districts will look like in state legislative, congressional and some county council districts. Those uncertainties worried election officials and made it increasingly difficult for them to plan.
The order, signed by Chief Judge Joseph M. Getty of the Maryland Court of Appeals, comes as the court weighs four challenges to the redrawn maps. Opponents argue that the maps violate the state constitution and are gerrymandered.
The court had previously scheduled a hearing on the legal challenges for March 23 and said it could continue until March 25. Getty noted in the order that it would thereby extend beyond the March 22 filing deadline, leading to the decision to delay the primary, as reported by The Washington Post.
The following deadlines are also amended for the 2022 Primary for the Gubernatorial Elections:
- The deadline for filing certificates of candidacy is extended to April 15 at 9:00 p.m.;
- The deadline for candidates to withdraw a certificate of candidacy is extended to April 18;
- The deadline to fill a vacancy in candidacy for a primary election is extended to April 20;
- The deadline to challenge a candidate’s residency is extended to April 21.
There are at least 14 candidates running for governor, including several black candidates—Rushern Baker, III, John B. King Jr., and Wes Moore, all Democrats.
Some are hailing the court’s decision to delay the primary as a smart move to allow officials the time to consider the redistricting challenges, while others are slamming it as a decision that will confuse voters, according to the Post. Some observers are also concerned that the election will take place during prime vacation season, at a time when many Marylanders will be traveling.
“This latest mess, which seems to happen on a regular basis here in Maryland, is a stark reminder that we need to reform the process by which our congressional and legislative district maps are chosen,” candidate and former state delegate Rushern Baker said in an interview with WJZ. “Because whichever side of the aisle you happen to be on, it’s clear this isn’t working for the people and does little but inspire confusion, resentment and apathy within our political system.”
The 2022 election could be one of the most consequential campaign cycles for Maryland in decades. According to Maryland Matters, by early 2023, we will have a new governor, a new lieutenant governor, a new attorney general, and a new state comptroller.
There are many ways to participate in the 2022 Gubernatorial Elections.
To vote by mail, you must request a mail-in ballot from the State Board of Elections or your local board. Your request for a mail-in ballot for the Gubernatorial Primary Election must be received by July 12, 2022; and by November 1, 2022 for the Gubernatorial General Election.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked or placed in a designated ballot drop box by 8 pm on July 19, 2022 for the Gubernatorial Primary Election and by 8 pm on November 8 for the Gubernatorial General Election.
To vote in person, Marylanders can vote during early voting or on election day:
• Early voting will be held for 8 days and begin on July 7 through July 14 from 7 am until 8 pm for the Gubernatorial Primary Election; and begins on Oct. 27 through Nov. 3 from 7 am until 8 pm for the Gubernatorial General Election. You can vote early at any early voting center in the county you live in.
• The Gubernatorial Primary Election Day is July 19; and the Gubernatorial General Election Day is Nov. 8. To vote in person on election days, vote at your assigned polling place.
For more information, go to elections.maryland.gov.
Due to the pandemic, The Baltimore City Board of Elections is still open to the public by appointment only. Call 410-396-1444 to schedule.
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