ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Gov. Martin O’Malley has signed an executive order to help people apply for absentee ballots, if they are unable to apply in person because of Superstorm Sandy.

The governor issued the order on Thursday.

The order applies to people who could not apply for an absentee ballot in person at their local board of elections due to the weather.

It allows election officials to accept absentee ballot applications that are received by mail on Thursday.

It also allows voters who are out of their county of residence due to the storm to make a late application. That would include voters such as National Guard members, utility workers, first responders and voters who sought temporary shelter.

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