Exercise your right to vote

If you aren’t registered to vote in Maryland and want to be able to have a say in the 2008 presidential election you still have time — but not much.

To vote in the Nov. 4 general election, Allegany County residents must complete a voter registration application and either hand-deliver or mail the document to the Board of Elections, 701 Kelly Road, Suite 213, Cumberland, MD 21502.

A hand-delivered application has to be submitted to the office by 9 p.m. Tuesday. A mailed application must be postmarked by Oct. 14.

Tuesday also is the deadline for registered voters who have moved since the last election to provide updated address information to the election board.

You may download a voter registration application or the form to request a change of polling place at www.elections.state.md.us or call the Allegany County Board of Elections at (301) 777-5931 and one will be mailed to you.

The 2008 presidential election has generated tremendous interest throughout the nation. Additionally, Maryland voters will decide on the controversial issue of whether to legalize slot machine gambling in the state.

State elections officials are predicting a huge voter turnout. Don’t be left out of the process simply because you haven’t taken the time to register to vote.