“Voting is crucial.”

Today, District 7 residents can honor US Representative Elijah Cummings by voting.

His legacy isn’t about who you vote for. His legacy is in the act of voting. Rep. Cummings knew – and kept reminding us – that the right to vote is fundamental to American democracy and serves as the cornerstone for all other rights. His mother’s last words: “Do not let them take our votes away from us.”

Voting today, during the COVID public health emergency, is even harder than usual. Here’s how you can do it:

Voting by mail: If you are an active voter, you should have received a ballot in the mail in early April. You may also have received it electronically. If you have not yet returned your ballot: be sure to sign the oath as you vote; ballots without a signed oath will not be counted. Also be sure it is postmarked by 8:00 pm today.

If you did not receive your ballot already, you may be able to get one delivered electronically that you can print at home. Email absentee.SBE@maryland.gov or call 800-222-8683. Be sure your ballot is either postmarked or dropped in a drop-box by 8pm today.

Drop your ballot in a drop-box: Rather than mailing your ballot, you can drop it off between 7am and 8pm today, outside at each of the Elections offices and at vote centers:

• Baltimore County Board of Elections Office (11112 Gilroy Rd., Ste. 104 Hunt Valley, MD 21031)
• Baltimore City Board of Elections (417 E. Fayette St., Benton Office Building, Room No. 129, Baltimore, MD 21202)
• Howard County Board of Elections (9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, No. 200, Columbia, MD 21046)

Voting in-person: Three vote centers will be open today from 7am to 8pm

• Baltimore City: Edmondson High School (501 N. Athol Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21229)
• Baltimore County: Martin’s West (6817 Dogwood Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244)
• Howard County: Howard County Fairgrounds (2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship, MD 21794)

If you choose to vote in-person: please plan for extra time, in case there are lines. Please also consider wearing a mask or other protective equipment, and be sure to leave appropriate space between you and other people.

If you need to register to vote: Same-Day Registration will be available at in-person vote centers. Bring identification and proof of residency with you, such as a Maryland driver’s license or identification card with your current address. If you don’t have these documents or they don’t show your current address, you can show the election judge a paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other official document with your name and new address.

If you cannot vote tomorrow, you can still honor Rep. Cummings’ legacy by planning ahead to vote in future elections. The next election will be the Presidential Primary, to be held on June 2^nd.