In addition to voting on the President, US Senator, and Congressional Representative, citizens in Maryland will also decide on a number of ballot questions. "Voters are going to decide whether the state allows same-sex marriage or not; we're going to be deciding on gambling expansion in Prince George's County; whether we accept the redistricting map for Congressional Districts the General Assembly drew. There are a number of big issues on the ballot this year," says Frederick County Delegate Michael Hough.

Another controversial issue is the Maryland DREAM Act, which allows illegal aliens to attend college at in-state tuition rates, under specific conditions.

In Frederick County, citizens will decide whether to adopt  charter government, which would replace the county commissioners with a county council and an executive. The last time voters decided on charter was in 1991, and it was voted down.

All in all, there are seven questions on the ballot for 2012. Politicians and analysts say this year's list includes three voter-petitioned statewide referendum questions, the first time that's been done in 20 years.

A lot of that is due to the Internet. "People can go on there and sign, and get their petitions, down load them and mail them in. So that's made it easier to spread the word through social media and the Internet," he says.

The same-sex marriage and DREAM Act questions resulted from opponents gathering signatures to put it on the ballot.  Both measures have alrady been approved by the General Assembly and signed by the Govenror.

There's a  question on whether to add table games at Maryland's casinos, and site a new gambling casino in Prince George's County. Supporters say it would bring in $700-million a year in additional revenue, which would go to education and local governments. Opponents say they don't buy those arguments. Both sides have spent a considerable amount of money buying radio and TV ads stating their positions. "I think at this point they spent more on the gambling bill then was spent in the last gubernatorial election," he says. "It's over $20-million at this point that they've spent on that effort."

Election day is Tuesday, November 6th. But citizens can vote early starting on Friday, October 27th  through Thursday, November 1st. In Frederick, the polls will be set up at the Senior Center on Taney Avenue. The hours each day are from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM, except for Sunday, October, 28th, when the hours will be from 12:00 noon until 6:00 PM.