Voting In Rockville

           Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2003

In the last 50 years Rockville has grown from a population of 5000 with few city services to a population of about 50,000 with award winning services and government.

Our open, responsive, and effective city government is the reason. The city is run on a day-to-day basis by a professional city manager and his staff. He follows the policies and laws set by the elected Mayor and Council.

The Mayor and four Councilmembers are elected “at large”, that is, all residents vote for all of them. The term of office is now two years. There will be a ballot question this year asking if the term should be made four years.

Elections in Rockville are non-partisan, that is, the candidates are not affiliated with any national political party. No party affiliation can be shown on the ballot.

Elections are held in Rockville on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in odd numbered years. This year (2003) the election will be held on November 4.

If you are registered to vote in Montgomery County you are automatically registered to vote in Rockville. You can check your registration status by calling Montgomery County Board of Elections at 240-777-8500.

 If you are a U.S. citizen but do not wish to register in the county, you may register separately to vote in the city by calling the City Clerk at 240-314-8280

You are eligible to register to vote in Rockville if:

       1. You are a U.S. citizen

       2. Are a resident of Rockville

       3. Will be 18 by Election Day.

Registration for voting in the November election closes 30 days before the election. This year the last day is October 6, 2003.

There are 10 polling places distributed throughout the city. Shortly before the election the city will mail each registered voter a sample ballot that will tell where they are to go to vote. Your city polling place may be different from the one you use for County/State/Federal elections.

 The polls are open on election day from 7:00am to 8:00pm.

 For those who would have difficulty going from their car to the polling booths, upon request , an arrangement will be made at City Hall to provide for absentee balloting in the car.

You can apply for an Absentee Ballot from May 1 to October 28. The city will mail out the ballots to the applicants on October 6. The ballots must be returned by Election Day to be counted.

You may request an absentee ballot by phone at 240-314-8280 or on the city website.

If you did not register by October 6 but will be eligible to vote on Election Day, you may go the City Hall on Election Day to register and vote.

This year for the first time in Rockville elections, the new Touchscreen system will be used. It will be available to use in either English or Spanish. A demonstration is available on the internet at www.mdvotes.org

If you have any questions about voting in the city call: 240-314-8280. You will also find information on the city website: www.ci.rockville.md.us and the community website: www.rocknet.org

Where Can I learn about the candidates?

● Forums will be held at different places where the candidates will debate each other. Up to three of these forums will be broadcast on the City Cable Channel 11.

● The City will give each candidate space to present his/her case in the monthly newsletter and on the city cable TV channel.

● Candidates will mail you literature and ring your doorbell to ask for your vote!

The Candidates are neighbors who have taken the time and effort to serve their community by running for office. Please show your appreciation by coming out on Election Day and voting for the candidates you think will do the best job for you .

                                                                  Additional Resources

  If you are at least 60 years old the Rockville Senior Center will provide free door-to-door transportation to your polling place. Call 240-314-8810 to arrange it before Election Day.

           Your district and a map of the election districts may be found at: www.rockvillemd.gov/election03/election-map.gif

The list below shows the location of the polling places for the districts.

 1. Elwood Smith Recreation Center, 601 Harrington Road

 2. Beall Elementary School 451 Beall Avenue

 3. Lincoln Park Community Center 357 Frederick Avenue

 4. Social Hall at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater 603 Edmonston Drive

 5. Twinbrook Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Pkwy.

 6. Montrose Community Center 451 Congressional Lane

 7. Ritchie Park Elementary School 1514 Dunster Road

 8. Latvian Lutheran Church 400 Hurley Avenue

 9. Rockville Senior Center 1150 Carnation Drive

10. King Farm Community Center Saddle Ridge Circle

REMEMBER !

● If you are registered in Montgomery County you are automatically registered for Rockville Elections.

● If you can’t get to the polls Election Day, you can vote by absentee ballot.

● Application for absentee ballots can be sent to the City Clerk anytime between May 1 and October 28

    Address your request to : City Clerk, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850 or call 240-314-8280.

● Absentee ballots will be sent out Oct 6. ,

● The last day to get registered is Oct 6.

● If you didn’t get registered by October 6 but are eligible to vote, you may register and vote on Election Day at City Hall

● The City will mail you a card telling you where to go to vote before Election Day.

● Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2003,

● The Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.,

● VOTE !

                                                Prepared by The Alliance of Rockville Citizens

                                                                P.O. Box 4545, Rockville, MD

                                                                            20849-4545

                                          This may be copied in whole or in part without permission.