BY KRISSI HUMBARD — Hyattsville’s city-only voter registration is now open. This year will be the first time the city allows non-U.S. citizens to vote in the city election.
Citizens who don’t want to register with the state and non-U.S. citizens residing in Hyattsville can now register in person or by mail. Registration is open until April 11. The next city election is scheduled for May 2.
Most Hyattsville residents are eligible to register using the Maryland State Voter Registration Form. Forms must be submitted according to state guidelines found here. To register, you must be a U.S. citizen; be a Maryland resident; be at least 16 years old; not be under guardianship for mental disability or, if you are, you have not been found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote; not have been convicted of buying or selling votes; and not have been convicted of a felony, or, if you have, you have completed serving a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment.
Hyattsville residents who are not U.S. citizens, or do not wish to register with the state, may use the Hyattsville City Voter Registration Form. Forms must be submitted to the City of Hyattsville. To register as a noncitizen, you must: have the City of Hyattsville, Maryland, as your primary residence for at least 30 days prior to the next city election; be at least 16 years of age; not claim the right to vote elsewhere in the United States; and not to have been found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote.
The city is divided into five wards, with two councilmembers representing each ward. The mayor and councilmembers are elected to 4-year terms. One council seat from each ward is open for election in May.
