Columbia Elections 101
We have all seen the impact that voting can have, and it all starts with our very own communities. Whether you want to run for a position or cast a vote, CA wants to ensure you know how to get involved at any level.
That said, these elections are different from most others in a number of ways.
Rules vary by village
First, the specific rules about each election (like who can vote and who can serve as a representative) varies village by village. That’s because each individual village governs and runs its own process, including elections for CA Board representatives. That said, if you’re a property owner or tenant residing on property within any particular village, chances are you can vote or run in an election. You will want to check with your village association to check the details where you live.
Eligibility for running for an open board seat or voting in the upcoming election also varies by village. The best thing to do is contact your village manager for the rules where you live.
Unique timing
Second, the timing of these elections aren’t in line with a lot of other elections. That’s primarily due to the unique schedule of CA’s fiscal year. For example, Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 runs from May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022. In order for the Board elections to coincide with the budget cycle, elections are held in late April, and CA Board members are officially sworn in the following month. As you’ll see below, most deadlines to file candidate nomination forms are in mid March.
The COVID-19 effect
To add another layer of difficulty, our villages are looking at a variety of ways to implement health and safety measures to alleviate the risk for potential candidates and voters alike. Leaders in some villages are still evaluating the best ways to keep people safe this year. Villages are also waiting to see if races go uncontested and elections become unnecessary.
Here’s a village-by-village breakdown of what you need to know about running and voting in this election.
Village Board
There were no petitions returned for the Dorsey’s Search Village Board.
CA Board of Directors
Residents will elect one member to serve on the CA Board of Directors. Two residents submitted statements to run to represent Dorsey’s Search:
- Richard Boulton
- Marlon Brown
Point of Contact:
Nancy Meredith, nmeredith@dorseyssearch.org
Village Board
The following residents have submitted materials to run for the Harper’s Choice Village Board:
- Debra Erica Warner
- Arthur Brody
- Joel Hurewitz
This is a non-contested election, and all candidates will be deemed elected to hold office beginning May 1, 2021. Their names will not be included on the ballot.
CA Board of Directors
The Harper’s Choice seat on the CA Board is not up for election this year.
Point of Contact:
Steve Ingley, Harper’s Choice Village Manager manager@harperschoice.org or 410-730-0770
Village Board
Residents will elect five members to sit on the Hickory Ridge Village Board. Twelve residents submitted materials to run:
- Laura All
- Kristine Amari
- Skye Anderson
- Paul Armstrong
- Lisa Dean
- Janssen Evelyn
- Jesse Harvey
- William Inglis
- Fred Johnston
- Debra McPherson
- Tradd Ritchey
- Gregg Schwind
CA Board of Directors
Residents will elect one member to serve on the CA Board of Directors. Two residents submitted statements to run to represent Hickory Ridge:
- Jessamine Duvall
- Tradd Ritchey
Other information
Click here to read 2021 candidate statements. The statements will also be published in a special election supplement of The Flier and in our village newsletter.
Hickory Ridge is looking for a few residents to help the village with its 2021 election from 9am to noon on Saturday, April 24. The time commitment is minimal. If you are willing to help or have questions, email manager@hickoryridgevillage.org or call the village office at 410-730-7327.
Point of Contact:
Joan Lancos, joan@hickoryridgevillage.org
Village Board
Residents will elect four members to sit on the Kings Contrivance Village Board. Five residents submitted materials to run. They are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot, which was randomly selected by the Elections Committee:
- Fred Niziol
- John Woodson
- Dean Christmon
- Barbara Seely
- Ferzana Havewala
CA Board of Directors
Residents will elect one member to serve on the CA Board of Directors. Two residents submitted statements to run to represent Kings Contrivance. They are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot, which was randomly selected by the Elections Committee:
- Shari Zaret
- Broderick Young
Point of Contact:
Beverley Meyers, Kings Contrivance Village Manager kings@villageofkc.org
Village Board
Residents will elect two members to sit on the Long Reach Village Board. Two residents submitted materials to run. They are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot, which was randomly selected by the Elections Commission:
- Nina Basu
- Reginald T. Avery
CA Board of Directors
Residents will elect one member to serve on the CA Board of Directors. Two residents submitted statements to run to represent Long Reach. They are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot, which was randomly selected by the Elections Commission:
- Janet Evans
- Adam Herson
Other information
Click here to read candidate statements.
Candidates’ Night will be held virtually and is scheduled for 7pm on Tuesday, April 20. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from the candidates and ask questions. Meeting information will be posted on the village’s election page prior to the event.
Point of Contact:
Tina Addo, Long Reach Village Manager info@longreach.org or 410-730-8113
Village Board
The following residents have submitted materials to run for Oakland Mills Village Board:
- Rebecca Bryant
- Jonathan Edelson
- Lynn-Steven Engelke
- William R. McCormack Jr.
- Rena Ross
- Warren Wortman
This is a non-contested election, and all candidates will be deemed elected to hold office beginning May 1, 2021. Their names will not be included on the ballot.
CA Board of Directors
Residents will elect one member to serve on the CA Board of Directors. Two residents submitted statements to run to represent Oakland Mills:
- Rashida George
- Virginia (Ginny) Thomas
Other information
Click here to read 2021 candidate statements.
Point of Contact:
Sandy Cederbaum, Oakland Mills Village Manager manager@oaklandmills.org
Village Board
The following residents have submitted materials to run for Owen Brown Village Board:
- Robert Golibersuch
- Mae Beale
- Brad Butler
This is a non-contested election, and all candidates will be deemed elected to hold office beginning May 1, 2021. There will be no election this year in Owen Brown.
CA Board of Directors
The Owen Brown seat on the CA Board is not up for election this year.
Point of Contact:
Craig Barton, Owen Brown Village Manager manager@owenbrownvillage.org or 410-381-0202
Village Board
Residents will elect three members to sit on the River Hill Village Board. Three residents submitted materials to run:
- Eric M. Greenberg
- Matthew R. Levine
- Dipper Wettstein
Even though this race is uncontested, the village will still hold an election.
CA Board of Directors
Residents will elect one member to serve on the CA Board of Directors. One resident submitted statements to run to represent River Hill:
- Renée Freal DuBois
Even though this race is uncontested, the village will still hold an election.
Other information
River Hill is still in need of volunteers to assist at the poll on Election Day from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Two-hour shifts are available. Please contact Susan Smith, Village Manager, at 410-531-1749 or manager@villageofriverhill.org to help out.
Point of Contact:
Susan Smith, River Hill Village Manager manager@villageofriverhill.org or 410-531-1749
Village Board
The following residents have submitted materials to run for the Town Center Village Board:
- Joel Broida
- Dean Dworkin
- Lynn Foehrkolb
- Clara Pino
There are five open positions, so all candidates will be deemed elected to hold office beginning May 1, 2021. Their names will not be included on the ballot.
CA Board of Directors
The Town Center seat on the CA Board is not up for election this year.
Point of Contact:
Lyn Locke, Town Center Village Manager villagemanager@columbiatowncenter.org
Village Board
The following residents have submitted materials to run for the Wilde Lake Village Board:
- Laura Torres
- Kevin McAliley
There are five open positions, so all candidates will be deemed elected to hold office beginning May 1, 2021. Their names will not be included on the ballot.
CA Board of Directors
Residents will elect one member to serve on the CA Board of Directors. Three residents submitted statements to run to represent Wilde Lake. They are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot, which was randomly selected by the Elections Commission:
- Christine (Tina) Marie Horn
- William L. Santos
- Steven Michael Campbell
Other information
The election newsletter will be mailed at the end of March, including details on how to vote, candidates statements and more. If you have questions, contact Village Manager Kristin Shulder at wlca@wildelake.org or 410-730-3987, ext. 14.
Point of Contact:
Kristin Shulder, Wilde Lake Village Manager wlca@wildelake.org
What you need to know to vote
Click here to download the candidate statements for all 2021 village elections.
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 24 8am-1pm at Linden Hall
Details for Voters:
- Absentee ballots will be available at Linden Hall starting Thursday, April 1. There will also be an option to pull up to the building and stay in your care while someone comes out to hand you a ballot. You can also request one be mailed to you by emailing the contact below.
- The village will hold a Candidate’s Night for all contested elections on Thursday, April 15 at Linden Hall or Zoom depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
Point of Contact:
Nancy Meredith, nmeredith@dorseyssearch.org
Date/Time:
N/A
Details for Voters:
- There are no contested seats and no election in Harper’s Choice this year.
Point of Contact:
Steve Ingley, Harper’s Choice Village Manager manager@harperschoice.org or 410-730-0770
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 24 9am-noon (drop off hours for absentee ballots)
Details for Voters:
- Residents may vote electronically or by absentee ballot.
- In early April. Hickory Ridge residents will receive ballots with codes and details for online and absentee voting via direct mail.
- Absentee ballots may be returned by postal mail, placed in the secure drop box located outside our office door at 6175 Sunny Spring any time prior to noon on election day or delivered in person on election day from 9am-noon. Absentee ballots will also be available at our office on election day from 9am-noon.
Point of Contact:
Joan Lancos, joan@hickoryridgevillage.org
Date/Time:
Friday, April 23 5-7pm and Saturday, April 24 9am-1pm at Amherst House
Details for Voters:
- Voters are encouraged to take advantage of absentee ballots this year due to the pandemic (See in-person hours above).
- Absentee ballots will be made available from Thursday, April 8, to Thursday, April 22, outside at Amherst House and in the Crown Prints newsletter.
- Absentee ballots must be received by 5pm on Thursday, April 22. Ballots can be returned in the mail or at our mailbox outside of Amherst House.
Point of Contact:
Beverley Meyers, Kings Contrivance Village Manager kings@villageofkc.org
Date/Time:
Friday, April 23 (online/mail deadline) & Saturday, April 24 9:30am-1:30pm (in-person at Stonehouse)
Details for Voters:
- Long Reach voters have the option to vote in-person, online or by mail.
- Polls will be located in the lower level area of Stonehouse. Current, valid identification is required of everyone voting in-person. If you are a tenant, you must also bring a copy of your current lease. Copies will be made at no charge.
- Residents will receive an absentee ballot in the mail that will include directions to vote online. That online voting will close at 4pm on Friday, April 23.
- If you choose to vote absentee, you can return your mailed ballot or request a ballot by mail or in person from Stonehouse. All absentee ballots must be received at Stonehouse by 4pm on Friday, April 23 or by a member of the Election Committee no later than midnight, Friday, April 23.
- Make sure you read and carefully adhere to the instructions on the postage paid envelope. We require the full legal name of the owner or tenant, Long Reach address, signature, date, and the requirement to circle either TENANT or OWNER.
- If multiple ballots are submitted for a single property, the first ballot received has priority.
- The village will hold a Candidate’s Night for all contested elections on Tuesday, April 20 at 7pm. More event information will be posted on the village’s election page.
Point of Contact:
Tina Addo, Long Reach Village Manager info@longreach.org or 410-730-8113
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 24 (no hours, no in-person voting)
Details for Voters:
- The upcoming election will be entirely mail-in ballots.
- The village will send out an election newsletter to all properties in Oakland Mills with a ballot, a proposed amendment to the OMCA By-Laws, and a postage paid return envelope. You can expect to receive that in late March or early April.
- All eligible voters are encouraged to read the mailing carefully, fill out the ballot, vote for/against the by-law amendment and return the ballot/amendment as soon as possible to ensure timely delivery.
- All valid mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Saturday, April 24. Those ballots must be received by Friday, April 30, in order to be counted. Residents are encouraged to return mail-in ballots as early as possible.
Point of Contact:
Sandy Cederbaum, Oakland Mills Village Manager manager@oaklandmills.org
Date/Time:
N/A
Details for Voters:
- There are no contested seats and no election in Owen Brown this year.
Point of Contact:
Craig Barton, Owen Brown Village Manager manager@owenbrownvillage.org or 410-381-0202
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 24 9am-3pm at Claret Hall
Details for Voters:
- Absentee voting is highly encouraged, but in-person and paper absentee options will be available to voters.
- Voters can request and submit absentee ballots starting Sunday, April 4. You can request an absentee ballot in writing (via email or letter) through Wednesday, April 14, or by appointment at Claret Hall through Friday, April 23. will be able to submit paper absentee ballots in the 20 days leading up to election day as well. Proof of person, age and residency is required to obtain an absentee ballot.
- Social distancing and masks will be required during in-person elections. Residents must bring proof of person, residency, and age to the poll.
Point of Contact:
Susan Smith, River Hill Village Manager manager@villageofriverhill.org
Date/Time:
N/A
Details for Voters:
- There are no contested seats and no election in Town Center this year.
Point of Contact:
Lyn Locke, Town Center Village Manager villagemanager@columbiatowncenter.org
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 24 10am-noon
Details for Voters:
- Voters are encouraged to vote online. Mail-in, drop-off and in-person options will be available.
- An election newsletter will be mailed to every household in late March/early April. That newsletter will include an absentee ballot along with a postage paid return envelope. That newsletter will also include instructions for online voting and a unique PIN code to use.
- Voters may return absentee ballots via postal mail but are encouraged to drop them off at one of the secure ballots boxes located at Bryant Woods, Faulkner Ridge and Running Brook Neighborhood Centers or at the secure mailbox located outside of the front entrance at Slayton House.
- Absentee paper ballots must be received by 5pm on Friday, April 23.
- If you opt to vote in-person, please wear a mask, maintain physical distancing and look for the voting table outside near the front entrance of Slayton House. In case of inclement weather, elections will move inside.
Point of Contact:
Kristin Shulder, Wilde Lake Village Manager wlca@wildelake.org
