Are you included in these numbers?
If
you’re not, you can still register same-day in DC and Montgomery County at any
polling site. Be sure to check out GCAAR’s new election graphic and the election details further down on this page for more information, including our
positions on Montgomery County’s charter amendments, voting details and more.
Oct. 2, 2020
Many area food banks and distribution centers are doing voter outreach and need volunteers. Several opportunities to help are as follows:
Wheaton Hub at Hughes United Methodist Church; email djuliawingeier50@gmail.com for days/times and to volunteer.
Saturdays from 9-10:30/11 a.m., earlier if you want to help with setup at Olney Hub at Bethel World Outreach. Email nlawson@bwomi.org to volunteer.
Kingdom Fellowship AME Church, also in Silver Spring, welcomes you to get in touch with them; time and date for this opportunity to be determined. Email revsmith@kingdom.global to volunteer.
We’ll keep you posted on other upcoming opportunities.
Oct. 1, 2020
As you’ve seen from other recent emails, the Montgomery County Council is considering legislation (Bill 39-20) that would increase recordation taxes. GCAAR stands firmly opposed to this legislation and is working to stop the proposal - AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The cost of homeownership in our community is already prohibitively high, and climbing because of the pandemic. Now is NOT the time to further tax current and prospective residents.
GCAAR leadership has met with all of the councilmembers, and 2020 President Danai Mattison Sky has testified against the legislation.
To oppose this legislation:
The table below lists Montgomery County’s current recordation tax rates versus the proposed rates in Bill 39-20.
Montgomery County (Current) | $8.90 per $1,000 up to $500,000 $13.50 per $1,000 over $500,000 |
Montgomery County (Proposed) | $9.90 per $1,000 up to $500,000 $15.50 per $1,000 over $500,000 $17.50 per $1,000 over $1,000,000 |
For homes above $500,000, the only jurisdiction in our region with higher recordation taxes than Montgomery County is the District of Columbia at $14.50, and the proposed rate would eclipse that. Prince George’s County’s rate
is $5.50; Northern Virginia counties are just $3.33.
Thank you for helping us oppose the increase in the recordation tax rate!
Sept. 22, 2020
As your professional association, GCAAR has a deep commitment to advocating for the issues that matter most to you – and to providing information and educational resources about those issues so you can make informed decisions when it’s time
to take action or vote.
Election Day is coming soon. Because we believe so strongly in the power of your voice in our local, state and national elections, we will close the GCAAR offices (in both Rockville and the District of Columbia)
on Tuesday, November 3 to encourage you to exercise your right to vote - as well as to volunteer your time to the candidates and causes most important to you.
Moving forward, we will continue to close the office on Election Day, when there is a general election, to further demonstrate our commitment to allowing your voice to be heard.
Sept. 22, 2020
This year’s ballot for Montgomery County residents will include four charter amendments. GCAAR’s Public Policy Committee has taken positions on three of them, as follows:
Questions A & B would amend the charter limit on property taxes.
Questions C & D would redistrict and/or add members to the Council.
Click the links below that apply to your jurisdiction to make sure your vote is counted! Interested in volunteering as an election worker or judge? There are links for that, too:
Montgomery County
District of Columbia