Dorchester County Democrats

Maryland elections are supervised by the State Board of Elections (SBE), with each member being appointed by the Governor.  On the local level, each county has a Board of Elections, with members also being appointed by the Governor.  Names of individuals being considered for this Board are provided by the two major-party central committees, i.e., Democrats and Republicans.  Every local Board of Elections is staffed with personnel to conduct the elections.

Candidates filing for State and/or County positions are required to complete specific paperwork, along with a filing fee (with their local board of elections) in order to be considered as an official candidate.  This information is then forwarded to SBE in Annapolis.

Election Judges are hired by the local Board of Elections to  oversee elections in the precincts within the County.  In addition, each precinct has two (2) Chief Judges (Democrat and Republican) who are responsible for obtaining and setting up voting equipment and supplies for their precinct’s election.  Once the election is over, both Chief Judges return supplies, along with the voting results.  The results are then counted by the local Board of Canvassers, which is sworn in by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.  The Board of Canvassers is also responsible for conducting two (2) absentee ballot canvasses and one (1) provisional ballot canvass.  All counts are overseen by the Board’s attorney.  For more information, you may contact the County Board of Elections staff at 410-228-2560.

** This information has been contributed by Central Committee Member Verna Asplen.