Depending upon the impact of Hurricane Sandy, early voting dates could be changed, or the voting process could be altered, per the decision of Governor Martin O’Malley.

O’Malley issued an Executive Order early Friday declaring a state of emergency because of Hurricane Sandy, which is set to make landfall in Maryland this week.

The election law states that “[in] the event of a state of emergency, declared by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of law, that interferes with the electoral process, the emergency proclamation may: (1) provide for the postponement, until a specific date, of the election in part or all of the State, (2) specify alternate voting locations, or (3) specify alternate voting systems.”

As the storm approaches, the State Board of Elections, the local boards and all early voting locations are continuing their preparations for early voting and ensuring that voting sites remain open and that all election staff report for duty.

The early voting period began Oct. 27 and continues through Nov. 1.

The Towerlight will update this story as more information becomes available.