The following printed instructions to be forwarded with the absentee ballot, ballot envelope and a return envelope for use in returning the ballot, shall be as follows:

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS

Enclosed herewith is a City of Frederick absentee ballot, a ballot envelope and a return envelope for use in returning the ballot. You are entitled to vote if you will be unable to vote personally at the poll.

(a) Examine the ballot before marking. When once marked, do not erase, as a erasure will invalidate the ballot. Mark the ballot with either pencil or ink by placing an (x) in the block after each candidate for whom you wish to vote, and in the appropriate block for any other question (if any appear on the ballot), for or against which you wish to vote. Be sure not to vote for any number of candidates for any office greater than the number specified over the names of candidates for that office. The ballot must be marked secretly. Do not sign your name or put on the ballot any mark of identification or any other mark except the (x) mark or the name of a written-in candidate.

(b) Then enclose the ballot in the ballot envelope and seal the same.

(c) After sealing the ballot envelope, you must fill in the blanks of the "Oath of Absentee Resident" on the ballot envelope and sign (do not print) your name on the line indicated.

(d) It is absolutely necessary that the ballot envelope contain nothing but one ballot marked by you.

(e) Enclose the ballot envelope in the return envelope, seal the return envelope, and mail at once.

(f) The ballot may be marked and mailed at any time after you receive it but it must be received by the Board of Supervisors of Elections for the City of Frederick not later than the closing of the polls on election day. If it is not received prior to such closing, then it will not be counted.

(g) If, in any election, you desire not to vote for any of the candidates named for an office on the ballot, you may write in, in the appropriate blank on the ballot, the name of the person of your choice for such office.

(h) If any qualified voter desiring to vote by absentee ballot pursuant to the absentee voting ordinance is unable to by reason of blindness or physical disability, without assistance, to mark a ballot and sign the oath on the ballot envelope, any person may, at the request and in accordance with the direction of the voter, mark the ballot, sign the name of the voter on the line provided for the voter's signature, and complete the oath on the face of the ballot envelope. The person assisting the voter shall execute the OATH OF PERSON ASSISTING ABSENTEE VOTER. (See bottom of this page). Then tear off and return such oath in the Return Envelope. Such person, in assisting the voter, shall not make any effort whatsoever to influence the vote of the voter he is assisting.

OATH OF PERSON ASSISTING ABSENTEE VOTER

I hereby declare, under the penalty of perjury, that on this ____ day of _________, 19_____, _______ (name of voter), a qualified voter entitled to vote, who is unable by reason of blindness or physical disability, without assistance, to mark a ballot and sign the oath on the Ballot Envelope, authorized me to mark the ballot, sign his name on the line provided for the voter's signature, and complete the oath on the face of the Ballot Envelope. I have marked the enclosed ballot in accordance with his instructions and have not attempted to influence him to vote for any political party, any candidate or any question appearing on the ballot.

Name of Person assisting voter_________________
Address____________________________

Enclose in Return Envelope--not Ballot Envelope--and send along with ballot to the Board of Supervisors of Elections of the City of Frederick, Winchester Hall, Frederick, Maryland 21701.

(If the above form is used, detach it, fill in the blanks, and enclose it in the Return Envelope).