This Is What Early Voting and Absentee Voting Are Made For
This Is What Early Voting and Absentee Voting Are Made For
Concerns over the Primary Date for Jewish Marylanders are understandable. But there are alternatives
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. are asking legislative leaders to consider moving the 2024 primary election date because it overlaps with a major Jewish holiday.
The Democrats sent letters to the leaders of the Maryland General Assembly on Tuesday, saying that Jewish residents who strictly observe Passover in the region and across the state would be precluded from voting on April 23, 2024. Jewish law restricts working on religious holidays, which includes participating in elections.
In his letter, Scott noted Northwest Baltimore’s large Orthodox Jewish population. “As Mayor, I believe it is our responsibility to ensure that all members of the community are able to participate in our democratic process without obstacles or barriers,” he wrote.
“I strongly encourage the General Assembly to identify a new date that would avoid this conflict with the Passover holiday.”
As a devout Catholic, I understand the concerns about participating in something that would conflict with your religious obligations. So I am sympathetic to the concerns laid out by Scott and Olszewski.
But this is also the exact reason why we have absentee voting and early voting. To provide ample opportunities for individuals to vote without having to make themselves available on Election Day itself.
If Election Day needs to be moved because of a conflict, wouldn’t that prove that early voting is completely unnecessary?
If there is a concern about election workers, election judges, and other participants in the process that would be one thing. But it seems like the focus for Olszewski and Scott is just on voters and not the behind-the-scenes mechanics that make elections go. And there are alternatives to being required to participate on the date of the primary itself.
Again, I am sympathetic to the religious concerns expressed here. If there is something I’m missing, please feel free to reach out. But absentee voting and early voting already exists to eliminate Scott and Olszewski’s concerns.