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.

What's Happening in June

• June 2, MCGOP Exec Bd
• June 3, UARE Social Night Out Fundraiser
• June 6, Trump Birthday Party
• June 7, Campaign pickups for Early Voting
• June 8, MCGOP Breakfast Club
• June 9, Mid MoCo Muster
• June 10, Sherwin Wells - Leisure World
• June 13, MCGOP Open House
• June 11-18, Early voting MD Primary
• June 16, MCGOP Exec Comm
• June 20, UMRWC with Amie Hoeber
• June 20, MCGOP Open House
• June 21, Father's Day
• June 23, MD Primary
• June 23, HoCo & MoCo YRs 9A Watch Party
• June 27, MCGOP Open House
• June 27- Sunday 28, UMRWC Yard Sale
• June 30, Wheaton, Silver Spring Republicans
• June 30, MDGOP Red, White and Blue Dinner
• July 4, America 250 Anniversary

MORE EVENTS HERE

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

Join the Montgomery County Republican Party 

Join one of the clubs 

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.

Election Judge Interest Application

Only about 10% of the Republican Judges we need have signed up. I can't complain they don't have Republican representatives when Republicans don't volunteer to serve. I need you, the Party needs you, the free and fair election process needs you. We need you now. Become a Republican paid volunteer here.

-Dennis Melby, Chairman

If you have any trouble getting a response from the Board of Elections after signing up to help email Board of Elections Secretary Amie Hoeber at [email protected]

Montgomery County Board of Elections

Dear Registered Voter, 

Your community needs your help! Please sign up to serve as an Election Judge (poll worker) and invite your family, friends, and community to join us. 

The Montgomery County Board of Elections is recruiting volunteers to serve as Election Judges (poll workers) for the upcoming Gubernatorial Primary Election. Opportunities are available both during Early Voting, which will be held from Thursday June 11 through Thursday June 18, and on Election Day, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. 

Our volunteers play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and accessibility of elections for all voters. Election Judges receive a stipend for their service during Early Voting and/or on Election Day, and both full-day and part-day positions are available. If you served as a poll worker in the 2024 elections, you are eligible for a bonus of $100.00 per full day of Early Voting or Election Day service ($50 per half day served).

 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.