Maryland decides in favor of early voting and slots
By: Ryan Wiggins -

Significant changes this election season have not been limited to the national scene. Though all the absentee ballots will not be counted until November 14, it looks like voters have decided pretty soundly to permit early voting and slots in the state of Maryland. 

Question one, which permits voting up to two weeks in advance of the election, was passed by a margin of over 700,000 votes, with 1,301,177 for and 591,665 against according to the Maryland State Board of Elections. It will amend Article I, sections one and three of the Maryland Constitution. Not only did the change pass on the state level–it did so in every county in the state, demonstrating widespread support for a system already in place in 31 other states. 

Question two, which allows the state to issue up to five lottery licenses for slot machines to fund education, passed by a slimmer margin, 1,155,204 to 818,156. It will add a new amendment, Article XIX, to the Maryland Constitution. While this measure also passed in every county, it did so by only 148 in Garrett County and 561 in Talbot County.

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So now Marylanders have a generic early voting clause stuck in their constitution. Can a person in county A vote in county B? Do you have to show identification before you vote? What’s preventing me from voting in several counties in the same election if not? Where will there be early voting locations (one per county except in the reliably democratic counties which will have multiple, as per a previous revision. Now that MD has let their government add this clause, we can let the democrats, “put the nuts and bolts to it” behind closed doors.

No slot machines at Pimlico — where it makes sense — either. Hopefully Marylanders read the proposed text of these amendments before voting.

Greg Fiumara - November 5, 2008, 7:30 pm

The taste of having hot beverages on a cold day and the taste of having an ice-cream on a sunny day can never match any other pleasure on the earth. But the pleasure of playing the Slots seems to occupy a step higher than the above stated ones.

Slot - November 7, 2008, 4:38 am

Voting early is not a huge deal to me, but I think it’s pretty absurd that I have to drive all the way home from school in order to vote instead of driving down the street (absentee ballot notwithstanding). I’m glad these both passed.

Tim - November 9, 2008, 2:22 pm

Gambling is immoral. The fact that the money gained is used to help education does not make it alright. If people had any compassion for others and morality they would not want it to pass. We ought to make it harder for people to do these things, as it is detrimental to their life and possible the life of their spouse, and children.

Matt - November 10, 2008, 1:08 am