Provisional ballot rules change

Voters should double-check their polling place before Tuesday, because straying too far from home could negate your vote.

In past elections, voters who went to the wrong election districts - which in Anne Arundel County line up according to county council districts - and cast a provisional ballot would have had as much of their ballot counted as possible.

For example, a vote for a statewide or national office would be used, but a vote for a county councilman would not.

This year, because of a recent Maryland Court of Appeals ruling, a voter has to be in the correct district for anything on the ballot to be used.

Voters who turn up at the wrong precinct within their district still can cast a provisional ballot that will be tallied, said David Garreis, the deputy director of the county board of elections.

"If you are outside of your district, it won't be counted," he said.

The State Elections Board has a simple mantra, said Donna Duncan, the director of the election management division.

"We are preaching, 'Vote where you live,' " she said.

Voters can find out their polling place by visiting www.elections.state.md.us and clicking on "Where do I vote" under Frequently Asked Questions.