CUMBERLAND — Residents in Garrett and Allegany counties this week are receiving their specimen, or sample, ballots in their mail boxes. Registered voters should call their local elections board if they have not yet received one.

A sample ballot “goes to every address that we have,” said Kitty Davis, supervisor of the Allegany County Board of Elections. “If they have not received it, that’s the first indication” a voter’s registration information, including a current address, is not updated.

Davis said the sample ballots were mailed a week earlier than usual to familiarize voters with what they’ll see at their polling place. Steve Fratz, elections director for Garrett County, said ballots there were mailed at the usual time.

The sample ballot includes a registered voter’s polling place number and name on the address label and a complete list of county polling places and their addresses.

The ballot also contains a brief statement provided by the Maryland Department of Legislative Services that summarizes both of the statewide ballot questions. Question 1 is on early voting and would permit lawmakers to pass legislation to permit eligible voters to vote at polling places inside or outside their election districts up to two weeks prior to an election.

Question 2 is the constitutional amendment which, if passed, would authorize video lottery terminals, or slots, at five locations across the state, including Rocky Gap State Park.

Davis said the ballot is a replica of exactly what voters will see on the AccuVote Touchscreen voting system.

State elections officials have projected a voter turnout at 85 percent or higher for the Nov. 4 presidential election. Fratz believes Garrett County might be higher than usual but would be surprised to hit that mark.

“I think we’ll be elevated,” Fratz said. “That’s wonderful if Garrett County has an 85 percent turnout.”

Fratz said the 2006 general election, with a 72 percent turnout, was the highest he has experienced.

“If we hit 80, that will be great,” he said. “That’s a lot of people.”

Polls across the state are scheduled to open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. In the February primary election, however, inclement weather in the eastern part of the state resulted in all polling places being ordered to remain open an extra 90 minutes.

Davis said using the sample ballot to its fullest extent will make the voting process easier. Mark it before going to the polls, she said, deciding who and what your vote will be on the official ballot. This aids an efficient voting process and helps avoid long lines. In addition, voters should use the sample ballot to verify the votes they cast on the final summary screen of the digital voting system.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.