Casting Your Whole Vote in Election 2022

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 13:06:48 -0500

Dear UMBC Community,

UMBC has a strong tradition of active participation in elections, and has been named one of America’s Best Colleges for Student Voting. As Maryland and the nation prepare for Election Day, I am thrilled to see how members of our community are continuing and strengthening this tradition.

If you are a Maryland resident and plan to vote using a mail-in ballot, you must request one by Tuesday, November 1, and place it in a dropoff box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8. This year, Maryland residents can vote on campus by depositing completed mail-in ballots in the official Board of Elections dropoff box located in The Commons beside the Campus Information Center desk.

If you are not already registered to vote in Maryland, you can still register in person at early voting locations and on Election Day. You also can check your registration status. Once you register or confirm your registration, you can make a pledge to vote and help UMBC rise on ALL IN’s national leaderboard. Please also consider staffing a polling station as an election judge, a paid position that involves providing a much-needed service to our state.

I also encourage you to attend upcoming election-related programs. Election Night Extravaganza is a UMBC tradition that brings our community together to watch, discuss, and celebrate election returns in real time. Together Beyond November is a guided conversation program in which participants will reflect on the election outcomes and envision the road ahead.

The Center for Democracy and Civic Life always encourages members of our campus community to “cast your whole vote” by committing fully to building strong, inclusive, just communities in which everyone can thrive. I am grateful for the contributions of Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging, The Shriver Center, and many other students, faculty, and staff who are creating opportunities to do this important work through meaningful dialogue and action every day.

David Hoffman, Ph.D. ’13, Director, Center for Democracy and Civic Life