Voting and Civic Engagement
"Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes." - "Civic Responsibility and Higher Education," edited by Thomas Ehrlich, Oryx Press, 2000
There’s no better time to make yourself heard and make a difference in your community.
Below you’ll find important dates and information.
Voting
Get Registered – Get Involved
Register to Vote Online
Check if You're Registered
Decisions are made by those who show up. CSM is committed to defending and promoting one of the most essential rights afforded to Americans, the right to vote.
Resources
- The Maryland State Board of Elections is a key resource for state residents to exercise their right to vote. Visit www.elections.maryland.gov to:
- Register to Vote
- Find My Polling Place
- See if I’m Already Registered
- Request an Absentee Ballot
- Find Accessibility and Disability Information
Frequently Asked Questions
YES! Your vote absolutely matters—and probably more than you think. In 2016, less than two-thirds of voting-age Americans voted. Decisions get made by those who show up, decisions that will affect your life and countless others, around the globe and right here at home. If you want to be heard, you have to raise your voice.
You must be a U.S. citizen and must be at least 18 years old. In Maryland, you can register to vote as young as 16, but you can’t cast your vote unless you are or will be 18 by Election Day.
During Maryland’s Early Voting period, you can vote at any polling place in your county. If you go to vote on Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling location, or you can vote by absentee ballot.
Maryland law doesn’t require every voter to bring identification, but in certain extraordinary circumstances, voters may need to prove they’re who they say they are. Visit the Maryland State Board of Election for a list of acceptable forms of identification; your CSM student ID will work!
People who need help voting—due to language barrier, disability, or any other reason—can have someone of their choice help them cast their vote. Visit https://www.elections.maryland.gov/ for more information.