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FT In STATE OF MARYLAND
ii i OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

LARRY HOGAN
GOVERNOR

August 10, 2020

Michael R. Cogan
Chairman

State Board of Elections
151 West Street, Suite 200
Annapolis, MD 2140]

Chairman Cogan:

After months of delay and indecision, the State Board of Elections has now reversed its position of July 2
and reached a consensus on the November general election. As I have previously stated, I do not intend to
interfere in the Board?s sole responsibility to conduct the election under the law.

As requested, 1 have issued a proclamation granting the State Board of Elections the authority it is seeking to
create voting centers for use during early voting and on Election Day, at the sole discretion of the Board.

My only direction to you, under existing law, was to expand and encourage voting by mail by immediately
mailing absentee ballot requests to every voter. The Board?s recent decisions make this more important than
ever.

I remain very concemed that the Board?s decision to close nearly 80% of the polls will have the potential of
creating long lines and unsafe conditions, with crowds of people being forced into too few polling places.

Expeditiously mailing the ballot applications, encouraging voting by mail, and protecting early voting
options will be critically important steps needed to lessen the problems caused by your decision to close the
vast majority of the polls.

Sincerely,



La Hogan
Governor

cc: Linda H. Lamone, Administrator of Elections, Maryland State Board of Elections

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