CAROZZA URGES IN-PERSON VOTING OPTION FOR SMITH ISLAND RESIDENTS LIKE EVERY OTHER MARYLANDER

Ocean City, MD— In a letter sent today to the Somerset County Board of Elections and State Board of Elections, Senator Mary Beth Carozza urged that residents of Smith Island have the option to vote in-person on Smith Island during the General Election as they have always been able to do so in the past.  Senator Carozza, who is the only State Senator who represents Somerset County in the Maryland State Senate, joined with the Somerset County Commissioners, Delegate Charles Otto and Congressman Andy Harris in calling for the Board of Elections to provide for in-person voting on Smith Island on Election Day 2020.

“While I recognize the extraordinary challenges that COVID-19 has presented in conducting our the 2020 election which has resulted in reducing the number of polling locations in Somerset County and across the state, I am deeply concerned about the disenfranchisement of Smith Island voters and urge you to take the necessary actions to allow for in-person voting on Smith Island on Election Day,” Senator Carozza said in her letter.  

“With no polling location on Smith Island, voters who wish to vote in-person would be burdened with the cost of a boat ride, and with the risk and inconvenience to travel to the mainland to vote including the uncertainty of a storm or other weather conditions on Election Day making boat travel nearly impossible…Allowing in-person voting on Smith Island for one day only seems fully consistent with Governor Hogan’s request to facilitate maximum voter participation, minimize confusion and minimize risk. No other place in Maryland but Smith Island faces this situation.”

Senator Carozza will continue to work with county, state and federal leaders on this local priority. As a member of the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, which has oversight over election matters, Senator Carozza uses her position to ensure the integrity of the voting process and preserving the sanctity of “one person one vote.”