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Columbia Elections 101
Springtime in Columbia means another opportunity to vote in your village board and Columbia Association (CA) Board elections.
Whether you’re casting a vote or interested in running for a position, CA wants to make sure you have the information you need to get involved. But elections in Columbia are a bit different than a lot of other local, state and national elections you may have participated in.
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. If you’re not sure what village you live in, this map could help.
You can also reach out to CA at communications@columbiaassociation.org if you need help identifying what village you’re a part of.
Interested in learning more about CA, CA’s Board of Directors and the election process? Click here for a comprehensive packet for prospective candidates. Click here to watch a presentation and Q&A with CA, CA Board and village leadership.
These election processes are governed and run by each individual village, which means each village has its own set of rules on how the elections will proceed this year. While CA has provided an overview of each village’s process below, it’s important you check with your respective village association if you have any questions on how to run for an open seat or vote. 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.
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.
Here’s a village-by-village breakdown of what you need to know about running and voting in this election.
What you need to know to vote
Candidates:
Village Board (2 seats)
- Ellen Mackey
- Chris Fuchs
CA Board – The CA Board seat is not up for election
Date/Time:
N/A
Details for Voters:
- Since the number of candidates does not exceed the number of seats up for election, Dorsey’s Search will not hold an election this year.
Point of Contact:
Nancy Meredith, nmeredith@dorseyssearch.org
Candidates:
Village Board (2 seats)
- Rebecca Beall
- Rosalind P. Danner
CA Board
- Ashley Vaughan
- Alan A. Klein
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 23 9am-3pm at Kahler Hall
Details for Voters:
- Voters have the option of voting by mail, online or in-person.
- Residents should expect to receive an election newsletter via mail in the first week of April with detailed information on voting options and instructions on how to submit your ballot. That includes a unique voting code for anyone who wants to vote electronically.
- Online voting closes Friday, April 22 at 5pm.
- Mail-in ballots must be received by midnight on Saturday, April 23.
Election Day Activities:
Point of Contact:
Steve Ingley, Harper’s Choice Village Manager manager@harperschoice.org or 410-730-0770
Candidates:
Village Board (5 seats)
- Adrienne Ross
- William Inglis
- James Blackwood
- Jeremy Dommu
- Kristine Amari
- Skye Anderson
CA Board
- Jessamine Duvall
- Brian England
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 23 9am-noon at The Hawthorn Center
Details for Voters:
- Voters have the option of voting by mail or in-person.
- Ballots will be mailed directly to Hickory Ridge residents. There will be no online voting in this election.
- Mail-in ballots must be received by noon on Saturday, April 23 to be counted.
- If more than one candidate submits materials to run for either the village board of CA’s Board of Directors, a Candidates’ Night will be held virtually 7pm-8pm on Tuesday, April 5.
Point of Contact:
Laura Parrish, Hickory Ridge Village Manager manager@hickoryridgevillage.org or 410-730-7327
Candidates:
Village Board (2 seats)
- Jeff Richmond
- Melissa Hogle
CA Board – The CA Board seat is not up for election
Date/Time:
Friday, April 22 5-7pm and Saturday, April 23 9am-1pm at Amherst House
Details for Voters:
- Absentee ballots will be made available on Thursday, April 7, outside at Amherst House and in the Crown Prints newsletter (out April 7).
- Absentee ballots must be received by 9pm on Thursday, April 21. Ballots can be returned in the mail or at the mailbox outside of Amherst House.
- If there are more candidates running than seats open and the election is contested, a virtual Candidates’ Night is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 6 at 7pm (before the regularly scheduled village board meeting).
Election Day Activities:
Point of Contact:
Beverley Meyers, Kings Contrivance Village Manager kings@villageofkc.org or 410-381-9600
Candidates:
Village Board (3 seats)
- Josh Friedman
- Edward Coleman
CA Board – The CA Board seat is not up for election
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 23 9:30am-1:30pm at Stonehouse
Details for Voters:
- Voters have the option of voting by mail, online or in-person.
- Only one vote per ownership or tenancy interest will be counted. Tenants must have a copy of their current lease on file at Stonehouse.
- Current, valid identification is required of everyone voting in person on Election Day. If you are a tenant, you must also bring a copy of your current lease. Copies will be made at no charge.
- Please refer to your absentee ballot (sent to all eligible households). Online voting closes at 4 pm on Friday, April 22, 2022. If you are a tenant, your current lease must be on file at Stonehouse in advance of voting online.
- You may vote by absentee ballot by either returning your mailed ballot or requesting a ballot by mail or in person from Stonehouse. All absentee ballots must be received at Stonehouse by 4pm on Friday, April 22. They can also be received by a member of the Election Committee no later than midnight on Friday, April 22. Tenants must enclose with their ballot or have on file at Stonehouse a copy of their current lease.
Election Day Activities:
All in-person election day events will take place in the lower level parking lot behind Stonehouse and Columbia Art Center.
- Paper Shredding 9am – noon. FREE for all Long Reach residents (ID Required) $10 for all others. Limit 3 grocery bags/banker boxes per household. This is NOT a drive-thru event. Participants must be able to carry their own shredding from their car to the shredding truck. First come, first served. No registration required. The event is over once the truck is full. Learn more here.
- Native Plant Giveaway Pick-up between 9:30am – noon. First come, first served.
- Bloomin’ Ceramics Sale 9:30am – noon. Stop by Columbia Art Center’s outdoor spring ceramics sale. Functional pottery and decorative ceramics will be for sale at affordable prices. Ideal for gift-giving, home use, and decorating! All works were created by students and instructors of Columbia Art Center.
Point of Contact:
Tina Addo, Long Reach Village Manager info@longreach.org or 410-730-8113
Candidates:
Village Board (7 seats):
- Rebecca Bryant
- Jonathan Edelson
- William R. McCormack Jr.
- Jerome Rollerson
- Warren Wortman
CA Board
- Virginia (Ginny) Thomas
Date/Time:
N/A
Details for Voters:
- Since the number of candidates does not exceed the number of seats up for election, Oakland Mills will not hold an election this year.
Point of Contact:
Sandy Cederbaum, Oakland Mills Village Manager manager@oaklandmills.org
Candidates:
Village Board (2 seats)
- Michael Golibersuch
CA Board
- Andy Stack
Date/Time:
N/A
Details for Voters:
- Since the number of candidates does not exceed the number of seats up for election, Owen Brown will not hold an election this year.
Point of Contact:
Craig Barton, Owen Brown Village Manager manager@owenbrownvillage.org or 410-381-0202
Candidates:
Village Board (2 seats)
- Kevin Bruening
CA Board – CA Board seat is not up for election
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 23 9am-3pm at Claret Hall
Details for Voters:
- In-person and paper absentee options will be available to voters.
- Voters will be able to submit paper absentee ballots in the 20 days leading up to election day.
- Absentee ballots must be submitted by midnight Friday, April 22. They can either be placed in the drop box at Claret Hall or mailed.
- Along with the candidates, the ballot will include two questions. The first asks for feedback on an amendment to the articles of incorporation to require members of the village board to be members of the River Hill Community Association. The second asks voters if the line “with a deadline of March 25” should be struck from candidate statements. If you have any questions, please contact the village.
Election Day Activities:
Come to Claret Hall for all the festivities! Cast your vote in River Hill Community Association’s Village Elections and receive free donut holes from Dunkin’ Donuts and a free plant from Columbia Association (while supplies last). Bring the kids along because Magician Tim Hall will perform shows!
Magic shows: 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Free donuts & plants: until we run out!
Point of Contact:
Renée DuBois, River Hill Village Manager manager@villageofriverhill.org
Candidates:
Village Board (3 seats)
- Alyse Carter
- Lin Eagan
- Jamison Hibbard
CA Board
- Kevin Fitzgerald
Date/Time:
N/A
Details for Voters:
- Since the number of candidates does not exceed the number of seats up for election, Town Center will not hold an election this year.
Point of Contact:
Lyn Locke, Town Center Village Manager villagemanager@columbiatowncenter.org
Candidates:
Village Board (5 seats)
- Kevin McAiley
- Charles Yarbrough
CA Board
- Tina Horn
- Bill Santos
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 23 10am-1pm at Slayton House
Details for Voters:
- Voters have the option of voting by mail, online or in-person.
- An election newsletter will be mailed to every household in April, which will include an absentee ballot and details about the election process.
- Online voting closes Friday, April 22 at 4pm.
- Mail-in ballots must be received by 4pm on Friday, April 22.
- Wilde Lake residents who live in rental apartments or in condos/townhouses/detached houses that they do not own must have a copy of a current lease on file to cast a ballot. The deadline to submit a copy of the lease agreement and be eligible to vote is 4pm on Friday, April 22.
- Click here for more Wilde Lake election information or check Wilde Lake’s Facebook page for updates.
Election Day Activities:
Point of Contact:
Steven Campbell, Wilde Lake Village Election Co-Chair steve.campbell.wlv@gmail.com
Elizabeth Lopez, Wilde Lake Village Election Co-Chair elizabeth.maryland1@yahoo.com
Kristin Shulder, Wilde Lake Village Manager wlca@wildelake.org
