September 29, 2020 — Annapolis, MD

ELECTION UPDATE

The pandemic means an election like no other. Maryland voters will find fewer polling places and must follow safe distancing guidelines while voting in person. The Maryland Catholic Conference Election Guide has information to help you exercise your right to vote, including the results of our Congressional candidate survey, and links to register, request a ballot, and find an early voting site. In addition, our parish page includes links to resources on faithful citizenship and more.

Know these important dates

• Oct. 13: Deadline to register to vote*
• Oct. 20: Requests for a mail-in ballot must be received 
• Oct. 26-Nov. 2: In-person early voting
• Nov. 3: Election Day

*You may also register to vote or update your voter registration information in person during early voting or on Election Day. If you update your address on Election Day, you will be asked to complete a provisional ballot; an election judge will assist you with the process.

Decide how you want to vote

This election, all eligible voters may vote in one of three ways: mail-in ballot, early voting (in person) or Election Day voting (in person).

 If you choose to vote by mail-in ballot

• You may choose whether to download the ballot or receive it in the mail.
• If you opt to download your ballot, please know that media have reported that downloaded ballots cannot be scanned and your choices will be manually entered by election judges. 
• You may drop off your mail-in ballot at an early voting site or ballot drop-off box, if you do not wish to mail it.
• Follow the instructions on your ballot very carefully. Use a black pen and the provided return envelope. If your envelope says “ID required,” you must include one of the identification items listed. 
• If someone assists you with filling out your ballot, complete and include the “Certification of Person Assisting Voter” form.
• Carefully sign the voter’s oath on the envelope, print your name and date your ballot.

If you vote in person or want to drop off your mail-in ballot

Some normal voting locations have been eliminated or changed due to the special circumstances surrounding this election. Please check your polling place before heading out to vote. You can vote at any voting center in the jurisdiction where you live. See our election page for links to polling locations. 

POLICE REFORM

Senate Hearings and Town Halls with Our Archbishops

Police reform continues to be a high priority issue among legislators in Annapolis. The House of Delegates established a Workgroup to Address Police Reform and Accountability that has been convening hearings by Zoom over the summer.

Senate Bill Hearings Last Week

Last week, the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee held interim virtual bill hearings on police accountability and law enforcement reform.  It is unusual for the Maryland General Assembly committees to hold bill hearings outside of session, but Committee Chair Senator Will Smith (D-20) expressed the importance of starting early on issues of such complexity well ahead of session. 

Senators Jill Carter (D-41), Charles Sydnor (D-44) and Chairman Smith collectively introduced a package of 15 different legislative proposals, heard over the three days, while allowing for testimony from advocates and members of the public. The Conference submitted supporting testimony on a number of those bills, citing recent bishops’ statements issued through the Conference and the USCCB.

Virtual Town Halls with our Archbishops

The Maryland Catholic Conference is convening two virtual town halls (on Facebook and YouTube) with our archbishops, delegates, police chiefs and others to discuss police reform and racial justice in Maryland. These events are being held in partnership with two members of the Workgroup to Address Police Reform and Accountability, Delegate Darryl Barnes (D-25, Prince George’s County) and Delegate Samuel “Sandy” Rosenberg (D-41, Baltimore City), and Sen. Jill Carter (D-41).

• Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m. (local “virtual host”: Bishop McNamara High School, Forestville)
• Monday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. (local “virtual host”: St. Bernardine parish, Baltimore)

The town halls will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube (@mdcatholic). Details are online at mdcatholic.org/townhall. Parishioners are invited to submit questions in advance here or during the event.

HEALTH CARE DECISION MAKING
FOR END OF LIFE

What happens if you get sick and have to go to the hospital unexpectedly or to a long-term care residence? How do you broach the topic with your loved ones? Do they and your doctor know what you wishes are?

It is important to prayerfully reflect and plan on how you wish your health care to be handled before there is a crisis, and to make sure your wishes are known by your loved ones and doctors. The Maryland Catholic Conference has updated and simplified our health care decision making resources to help you. This simple document outlines the essentials of our Catholic faith and end of life, and includes an advanced care directive that you can fill out and use in Maryland.

Get this document (plus a fillable PDF directive) plus resources on having the health care conversation with loved ones, hospice, caregiving, and more at mdcatholic.org/endoflife.

New Vatican Document on End of Life Care

Last week, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a letter, Samaritanus bonus (The Good Samaritan) “on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phases of life.”

The letter notes, “The remarkable progressive development of biomedical technologies has exponentially enlarged the clinical proficiency of diagnostic medicine in patient care and treatment. The Church regards scientific research and technology with hope, seeing in them promising opportunities to serve the integral good of life and the dignity of every human being. Nonetheless, advances in medical technology… cannot in themselves define the proper meaning and value of human life.”

Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, welcomed the new letter: “We are pleased to see the Vatican release this document and emphasize the long held principles concerning euthanasia’s incompatibility with palliative care.” 

FEDERAL ACTION ALERTS

Pro Life Action Alert: Bill to Protect from Chemical Abortions at Home

The number of chemical abortions in the US has gone up dramatically, while the overall number of abortions has decreased. COVID-19 is expected to make the problem worse, with more women (and teen girls) seeking chemical abortions at home—even illegally, by mail and without a doctor’s prescription. A bill has been introduced, the SAVE Moms and Babies Act (H.R. 4399 / S. 3072), that could help protect mothers and babies from chemical abortion. Take action now.

Immigration Action Alert: Proposal to Expand Immigrant Surveillance

 The Administration has proposed a rule to dramatically expand its surveillance over immigrants as well as U.S. citizens sponsoring immigration cases. The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) notes that the proposal includes collecting DNA, voice prints, iris and face scans, and other personal characteristics for virtually all immigration and citizenship applicants to be stored in government databases, potentially forever. Even survivors of trafficking and domestic violence, including children, would not be excluded. 

The Department of Homeland Security has given a 30-day period — instead of the standard 60 days — for the public to submit comments on the massive, 328-page rule. 

To speak out against this proposal to drastically expand immigrant surveillance, click here. Public comment is being accepted through Oct. 13.

HAVE YOU BEEN COUNTED?

The census affects funding and resources for hospitals, schools, social services and more. Everyone needs to be counted. If you or someone you know has not been, do it now! Information is confidential. 

Click here by Oct. 5, 2020 to be counted.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

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