Given the significant increase in mail-in ballots this election, the State for the first time allowed local election administrators to begin canvassing ballots as early as October 1. This is critical because right now the process for the County Board of Elections to collect a mail-in ballot, sort the ballot, ensure the ballot has been signed, scan the ballot as "received," and count the ballot can take two weeks from the time the ballot is mailed in or dropped in a drop box. That timeline is expected to improve as we get closer to election day and Board of Elections staff winds down its traditional preparatory duties for in-person voting, including voter registration processing, poll worker training, and ensuring voting equipment is ready.
Every single ballot received by the 8:00 PM November 3 deadline will be counted. Questions? Check out the Board of Elections website or shoot us an email at councilmember.friedson@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Also check the status of your mail-in ballot here. Mail-in ballot statuses:
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Application Processed: The County Board of Elections has processed your request for a mail-in ballot.
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Ballot Sent: The County Board of Elections sent your ballot.
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Ballot Link Sent by Email: The County Board of Elections sent you an email with a link to your ballot. The Board of Elections sent it to the email address you requested. If you can't find the email, please check all of your email addresses and your "spam" or "junk" folders.
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Returned Undeliverable: Your ballot could not be delivered by the United States Postal Service and was returned to the County Board of Elections. Please call 240-777-8500.
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Ballot Received: The County Board of Elections received your voted ballot.
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Accepted: Your ballot has been counted.
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Rejected: Your ballot was rejected (not counted). It was rejected for the reason listed.
Today is also the deadline to register to vote before in-person voting. Maryland allows same-day voter registration at in-person polling places.
Thank you Friends of White Flint for the opportunity last week to discuss why it's so important for the County's future to vote FOR Question A and AGAINST Question B on this year's ballot. It was a robust conversation to clarify the facts with Robin Ficker, the chief advocate for Question B that would double down on our broken tax system and threaten funding for services and essential infrastructure for decades to come. If you're interested in the discussion, check out the video here.
Last week, the Council passed Bill 29-20, which I joined Councilmember Riemer in introducing, to encourage transit-oriented development at Metro station sites. This incentive will help transform holes in our community created by sprawling surface parking lots into thriving hubs for our community in true smart growth fashion. Few things would be more impactful to meeting our affordable housing, environmental, and economic development goals than maximizing transit-oriented development at Metro stations.
Presently there are no high-rise developments underway on any Metro station property in Montgomery County, nor have there been for many years. The bill provides a significant benefit to realize our strategic land-use and housing goals without spending any additional taxpayer money. WMATA does not pay property taxes to Montgomery County for these parcels and this bill would allow a new development on a Metro station property to retain that property tax exemption for 15 years if a developer agrees to build a high-rise building and includes at least 50 percent rental housing. The developments would continue to pay impact taxes, and residents living in the housing would pay personal income taxes in our most important locations that currently provide no housing and generate no local revenue.
This legislation could result in more than 8,600 units of housing, which would help turn our housing targets into actual housing units. It would support building modern, sustainable, inclusive communities on Metro station property. Moreover, with this proposal, we can reduce greenhouse gases by building many of these new units within walking distance of transit, which takes cars off the road and promotes healthy lifestyles. This bill was approved with amendments to deepen the affordability of 25 percent of the MPDU units, a requirement that 25 percent of workers on each project be residents of the County, and with a 12 year sunset.
Also putting our County better long-term footing is Councilmember Evan Glass's LGBTQ Bill of Rights (Bill 28-20). This legislation, which also passed last week, prohibits discriminatory practices against certain individuals in places of public accommodation, including nursing homes and other facilities. I am grateful Councilmember Glass saw and addressed this glaring gap in our County code to ensure that LGBTQ+ seniors can receive the health and medical attention they need so they can age with dignity and respect.
The Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee (PHED) and the Government Operations Committee (GO) have been busy reviewing the Planning Board’s recommendations for the FY 2020-2024 Subdivision Staging Policy, also referred to as the Growth Policy. Each committee has met several times to review proposals related to development impact taxes for transportation and schools. You can view all work sessions here.
As a member of both committees of jurisdiction, I have had a front seat in the Council’s initial review of the Growth Policy. My approach to this review has been based on three fundamental questions: First, are we accurately assessing the impacts of new development, in all its forms, to our multi-modal transportation network and our school infrastructure? Second, do our impact taxes fairly reflect these impacts while allowing us to remain economically competitive in the region? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, are we ensuring adequate and appropriate public infrastructure that reflects our commitment to: smart, sustainable growth with livable, walkable communities; a safe and reliable multi-modal transportation network; and school facilities conducive to teaching and learning?
The PHED and GO Committees will be finishing up our work soon and making recommendations to the full Council, which will begin its review in late October.
Due to the challenge of maintaining proper physical distancing on porches and at front doors on Halloween, traditional, door-to-door trick-or-treating is not recommended by the County's public health team. In addition, the sharing of food through activities such as “trunk-or-treating,” where children go from car to car instead of door to door is also not recommended.
To promote a safer environment for children and families, the County is recommending the following alternative ways to celebrate Halloween this year:
- Online parties/contests (e.g. costume or pumpkin carving);
- Decorating homes, yards and neighborhoods with Halloween-themed decorations;
- Car parades such as:
- Drive-by events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate their vehicles and drive by “judges” that are appropriately physically distanced.
- Drive-in or drive-through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween displays. Participants can receive a treat bag (limited to commercially packaged nonperishable treats) or other takeaway item from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle.
- Haunted house attractions, festivals, carnivals, and live entertainment are not allowed unless granted a letter of approval by the County.
This Friday at 11:30AM, please click this image to join our conversation on Zoom.
Reopening Grants
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This program, which I spearheaded and the entire Council supported, will provide grants up to $5,000 to help local employers safely and successfully reopen.
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Grants will reimburse Montgomery County businesses and non-profits for expenses incurred to comply with State and County reopening requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and maintain public health.
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Grants will be awarded based on a rolling lottery system. For more information, including eligibility requirements and the application, is available here.
MCPS
- MCPS is providing meals at these sites for students. Meals will be provided at MCPS sites from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at school sites and from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM at bus distribution sites. Meals will be provided four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Libraries
- Library branch book drops are open and contactless holds pick up service has resumed.
COVID-19 Renter Relief Act
- The Council passed the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, which became effective April 24, 2020 and prohibits landlords from increasing existing tenants’ rent by more than 2.6% after April 24th and during the COVID-19 catastrophic health emergency. FAQs are online.
How You Can Help
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Volunteer Opportunities: The County has compiled a list on how you can to help. If you are a medical or public health professional willing to assist, the state has a site for specialized volunteers.
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Give Locally: The Greater Washington Community Foundation has a COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to bolster nonprofits working to help low-income hourly workers, gig workers, small business owners, families in need of childcare services, homeless individuals and many more who will continue to be severely impacted during this public health emergency. In particular, the County is looking for private matching funds for food security under the Food Security Fund.
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Support Neighborhood Restaurants: Please support local employers by getting take out or delivery. Search the Visit Montgomery list here.
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Donate Blood: American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Sign up for an appointment now.
If You Need Support
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Domestic Violence: There is support available during this time and all services are free of charge. If you know someone that may need help, the County has a guide on how best to assist them.
- Contact the Family Justice Center by calling 240-773-0444 or emailing safe@montgomerycountymd.gov
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline (24 hours) can be reached at 800-799-7233
- There are many organizations available to assist including:
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Internet: Low income families and older adults can get Home Internet Access for as little as $9.95 per month. Click here for additional information.
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Food Assistance: Call 311 and you will be connected to our new food call center or you can look at Montgomery County Food Council's Resource Directory, which includes information on the location, hours, and eligibility guidelines of more than 100 sites where residents can access food and benefits application assistance.
- Poolesville Grocery Distribution Service: Orders can be placed online by visiting www.mysaval.store/ Order on Tuesdays before 4:00PM and pickup Thursdays between 2:00-3:30PM at the United Methodist Church in Poolesville. Drivers are asked to remain in their cars as orders will be loaded into the backs of vehicles. If you have any questions please call John at 443-896-7244.
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Taxi Delivery: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced that it has partnered with local taxi companies during the COVID-19 health crisis to initiate a new program available to participants in the Call-n-Ride program to use taxis for delivery of essential goods from grocery stores, food banks and restaurants. This program is for low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities.
- For Individuals with Disabilities: The State and other partners are collaborating to supplement existing programs for people with disabilities who may be experiencing food insecurity during this pandemic. To connect with these feeding opportunities, constituents should call 2-1-1. The 2-1-1 call specialist will connect the caller to a variety of statewide program options.
- My Groceries To Go! for Seniors: Montgomery County applicants are required to provide supporting documentation to prove income eligibility. Participants receive get eight pounds of free, fresh produce every month. Please call the Grocery Plus main line at 202-921-7471 or email mg2g@capitalareafoodbank.org for more information. The Capital Area Food Bank's website on this program is here.
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Senior Nutrition Program: Frozen meal packs are available to seniors through the County’s Senior Nutrition Program. Partners and volunteers are operating “grab and go” locations and are making a limited number of home deliveries to the County’s senior population. To be eligible, most people must be 60 years of age or older. Spouses of participants or a person with a disability living with a participant, are also eligible. To register for the meal program contact the Senior Center closest to you. D1 Locations:
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Health Care: If you do not have insurance and want to get health insurance through the state marketplace, Maryland has a Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment period if you have recently lost your job. You can compare prices and possibly receive financial help in order to afford coverage. Apply by December 15th.
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Unemployment Claims: You can start your claim online or by phone. If you want to follow up on a claim and are in Maryland's 16th legislative district, you can use this form here. If you are outside of district 16, you can contact your state delegate or senator for assistance.
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Housing Issues: If you are behind on your rent, please click here. If you are facing eviction, please contact our office at 240-777-7828 or dial 311.
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Seniors: You can sign up now for a new free program called Senior Call Check by calling toll-free to 866-502-0560 or by registering online. Under the program, participants receive an automated call every day. If the participant does not answer, they will be called two additional times in the same day. If those calls go unanswered, an alternate person, selected by the participant, will be notified in order for them to check in on the participant.
*Additional resources listed at InfoMontgomery
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