Crapo, Maryland Public Records

Maryland residents can register to vote online at elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration, by mail using a downloadable application, or in person at the Dorchester County elections office or MVA offices. The voter registration deadline is 21 days before any election. The state requires proof of identity and age (18 by Election Day); acceptable documents include a Maryland driver's license or ID card, last four digits of Social Security number, or other government-issued identification. Because Crapo is unincorporated and has no municipal government, there are no city elections or mayoral races specific to the community. Instead, voters participate in county, state, and federal elections. They elect Dorchester County Council members (five districts), county executive, Board of Education members, and other county offices, along with state legislators representing District 37A and 37B of the Maryland General Assembly, and federal representatives for Maryland's 1st Congressional District. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the Maryland State Board of Elections' Voter Lookup tool at elections.maryland.gov/voting/where.html, which requires entering name and date of birth or street address and ZIP code. Polling places are assigned by precinct, and local voters typically cast ballots at Crapo Volunteer Fire Department Hall or other nearby community centers depending on precinct boundaries. Maryland election records that are public include voter registration lists (available for purchase by political committees and campaigns), campaign finance reports for candidates and political action committees (searchable at campaignfinance.maryland.gov), candidate filings and biographical statements, and precinct-level election results by race and party. County voters will also elect a County Executive, County Council members, Sheriff, State's Attorney, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Register of Wills, and judges for retention in certain circuits. Local ballot questions and bond referenda may also appear depending on county or state legislative actions. Maryland offers absentee voting (now called mail-in voting) without requiring an excuse; any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot by submitting an application online at elections.maryland.gov/voting/absentee.html, by mail, or in person at the Dorchester County elections office. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is typically the Tuesday before Election Day for online and in-person requests, or one week earlier for mail requests. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 10 days after, or delivered to a secure drop box by 8 p.m. On Election Day. Early voting is also available at designated centers in Dorchester County for a period of eight days prior to Election Day, typically from 7 a.m. To 8 p.m.; voters from the community can vote at any early voting center in Dorchester County regardless of their assigned Election Day polling place.