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Marylanders are still voting the old-fashioned way — at polling stations on Election Day or by absentee ballot.

If approved, Question 1 on the Nov. 4 ballot would change that by amending the state's constitution to allow two weeks of early voting, permit voters to cast ballots outside of their home districts and ease rules on absentee ballots.

The proposed revisions, which backers say are intended to make voting more convenient, are not unique. Thirty-one states offer in-person early voting at polling places or other locations, such as libraries or malls, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

An earlier attempt by the Maryland legislature to enact early voting was rejected by a state appeals court, which ruled the constitution specifies elections be held on a single day, prompting the legislature to put the matter before the voters this year.

On the surface, the measure seems like a reasonable one that could boost participation in elections. Busy voters gain flexibility, could avoid long lines or stop at a polling place that's closer to work than home.

But when digging deeper, enough questions are unearthed to make this change imperfect, at best, and one that could open the window to fraud and abuse.

There are practical reasons to keep the status quo. The cost of staffing and securing polling stations for as many as 14 additional days, especially in larger counties like Montgomery where there are more than a half-million people registered, could be expensive. A voter with a change of heart about a candidate or issue, after getting new information in the final days of a campaign, would be stuck if the ballot was cast. Locations for polling sites will become partisan hot potatoes, potentially favoring areas with heavy concentrations of Democrats or Republicans.

Even with the inevitable glitches, the age-old elections systems and procedures are working. Voters whose paperwork is fouled up, for instance, are able to cast provisional ballots. Shut-ins, college students and those on business travel or vacation are able to get absentee ballots. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and as happened in the primary, hours can be extended in unusual circumstances, such as unforeseen inclement weather.

The right to vote is at the core of democracy. It's something that should be taken seriously. A vote "against" Question 1 preserves an election system that has worked for years and protects against new opportunities for voter fraud. Sometimes the old-fashioned way remains the best way.

In addition to the presidential race and two state ballot questions, voters in Montgomery County have choices to make on charter amendments and candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and school board.

Here's a recap of endorsements by The Gazette in the past three weeks:

For U.S. House of Representatives, incumbents in the Fourth, Sixth and Eighth districts best reflect the views of their constituents and deserve to be re-elected. They are Donna Edwards, a Democrat from Prince George's County; Roscoe Bartlett, an eight-term Republican from Frederick County; and Christopher Van Hollen, a Montgomery County Democrat and party leader in Congress, respectively.

In two contested races for county school board, the experience of incumbent Stephen N. Abrams in District 2 and the vision and fresh approaches championed by Phil Kauffman in the at-large race give them the clear advantage.

County Question A cleans up ineffective provisions in the county charter and should be approved.

Question B, a measure to that would require that all nine members of the County Council to approve raising property taxes above an existing cap, should be rejected. Current rules are adequate.

Arguably the most contentious issue next week is whether slot-machine gambling should be allowed at five sites in the state, none in Montgomery. Voting "for" Question 2, to approve slots, is encouraged.

Revenues from slots, as much as $600 million a year by 2013, won't be an overnight balm for the state's mounting budget troubles. They will help stem reductions in some vital programs and provide more support for schools. In concert with the added money, Maryland must make disciplined cuts in spending.