By Dennis Brent Melby

OUR SACRED BALLOT UNDER ASSAULT

She was an elderly black woman from Tobytown down by the Potomac river. It was a community founded by formerly enslaved people after the civil war, and before Travilah was known as Potomac.  I was in my early twenties, in college and  living with my parents, in a large house with a pool and tennis court nestled between the Fox Hunt Club and the Polo fields at Travilah and Glen Roads…about a mile separated us – that and a lifetime of very different experiences.

It was the mid-70s and I was serving as the Chief Republican Judge during the elections. She came in to vote at Travilah Elementary school. She was illiterate, said she couldn't read or write,  so the Democrat judge and I joined her (at the time we used booths with curtains and levers). She was adamant that she wanted to vote only for all the Democrats. I kept asking her how she wanted to vote in different races, but she became angry – so I simply clicked the “All Democrats” lever – with the other judge’s concurrence. That was an option then.

I’m not violating the sanctity of the voting booth – she’s no longer with us but I’m still here – and I still remember, because of her, how important voter’s trusting the system is. Fast forward to today.

Lot’s of folks worry. Lot’s of folks have concerns. The election system many trust often has major issues.

• I just learned last week that the State Board of Elections did not send out 400,000 bad ballots…it was more than half a million.
• I just learned that they’ve decided not to discount the ballots returned (like they said they would) but will accept the first ballot when we mail it back if they deem it correct.

It gives many pause, including me.

I remember President Ronald Reagan saying to Mikhail Gorbachev, the head of the Soviet Union  “Trust, but verify” (doveryay, no proveryay)  As MoCo Chairman I follow that. Now let me be clear – over the years our local Montgomery County Board of Elections has answered EVERY question and concern I’ve ever raised – and they always err on the side of voter integrity. That comes from both the Democrat and Republican representatives and their staff.

• Do I worry about some of the appointees at the State level?
• Do I worry about the one party dominated legislature?
• Do I worry about the Executive Branch including the Governor and Attorney General?

Yes, I do. Partisanship is a great obstacle…especially if you have a higher national office in your headlights.

CELEBRATE PRESIDENT TRUMP

Saturday, June 6 at Noon

President Donald Trump's birthday is coming up. We'll celebrate early and get ready for a great July 250 Anniversary. Celebrate with us at MCGOP Headquarters on Saturday, June 6 at noon. We'll have a cake and coffee, you can sign his birthday card to wish him well, hear great speeches, meet candidates, take pictures with "Trump" and more. Buy tickets HERE.

We have a free gift for the first 40 patrons who pre-register and show up. Wear your red, white & blue America 250 outfit for our group picture we'll send to Trump.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND BUY A $10 TICKET EVEN IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND!

At MCGOP, upstairs at 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville 20855,  301-417-9256.  We can't wait to see you at the party!

If you can't attend, buy a ticket and write your wishes in the "comments" section. We'll put it on the cards we send to the White House.

I can't wait so see you at the party!

Dennis Melby

By Lori Jaffe

(with apologies to the writers of Apollo 13)

It was a clear, sunny day, a good day to launch campaigns. Astronauts Will, Andrew, and Evan were seated in the MoCo Machine, ready to take off from the Johnson Space Center launch pad in Houston. There was an hour of tension as the crew prepared for take-off. Then finally they heard the countdown…3 -2 -1, LIFT OFF! And, as they experienced high gravitational forces, they knew that they were on their way. 

(L to R) Will, Andrew, and Evan experience high gravitational forces.

 How to Update Your Voting Options or Voter Registration

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Montgomery County - Official Ballot Drop Box Locations for the 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election

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2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election Mail-In Ballot Canvass

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PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION OF THE PRE-ELECTION LOGIC AND ACCURACY VERIFICATION OF THE VOTING EQUIPMENT FOR THE 2026 GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

Montgomery County Republican Party's

2026 Republican Primary Voter's Guide

The Party does not endorse any candidate in a Republican contested election.

Download this to your phone and you may take it into the booth for reference.

Sign up for Monday, June 8, 2026

Breakfast With Friends!

The Republican Breakfast Club

8:00 - 9:30 AM

Politicians, Pancakes, candidates, great Republican friends and good food. Come on down!

Invited speakers are Esther Wells, Republican candidate for County Executive and Brenda Diaz, Independent candidate for the Board of Education. Learn how Republican leadership would have a major impact on the quality of life and invigorate the governance of this great County.

Come by, buy a tasty breakfast and listen to our great Republican leaders and candidates, share info about events and opportunities to turn MoCo around. Emcee'd by Party Chairman Dennis Melby.

LOCATION: iHOP, 775 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852

Due to limited space, RSVP to Lori Jaffe by June 6 at [email protected]

Thanks to those who sent in feedback! Here is some of the feedback that we received.

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Mail-In Ballots

Dear Mr. Melby:  hopefully you will receive this note.  Approximately two weeks ago I received my ballot.  I completed the ballot the weekend of May 16/17.  One Tuesday May 19, 2026 we drove up to the Post Office on Shady Grove Road and mailed the ballot envelope.  When I returned home there was an e-mail message from the Board of Election concerning the mess up.  Since I already mailed my ballot they will have to count it.  I think the whole situation may have been caused by incompetence at the BOE.  Hope this helps.

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