Low Voter Turnout Tuesday at Polls

Update, 8:30 p.m. at University Park Elementary School:

Thirty minutes before the polls closed throughout Maryland, only a few voters staggered into University Park Elementary School to cast their ballots.

Although University Park Elementary saw more than 400 people Tuesday, Chief Democratic Election Judge Sharon Tabb said it was only a fair turnout.

"It was a constant trickle of people, the biggest rush we saw was about 12 people coming in at a time in the morning and at lunch," Tabb said.

University Park resident Eilleen Corboy said she came out and voted because she's a strong believer in the process.

Corboy said voting on the machine was pretty easy, although she noticed there were a few extra steps.

Leslie Berns of University Park had a cold but showed up to vote anyway.

"I mostly wanted to vote for county executive," Berns said. "That position in the county has influence over schools, the environment and the budget."

Tabb said she hopes the judges will be done by 9 p.m.

Update, 2 p.m. at Parkdale High School:

Voter turnout continued to be low into the afternoon, according to various election volunteers at Parkdale High School.

"We've only had 127 people come into vote today," said Chief Election Judge Joan Chapman. "Normally, we'd see 250 to 280 people by this time."

Chapman said early voting affected the numbers.

"It takes away voting numbers from the precincts," Chapman said.

Although she said there weren't any problems, two voters reported issues with the machines and had to vote with the help of a provisional ballot.

Ninety-two-year-old Esther Nichols came out to the polls to cast her ballot and said she had some trouble.

"It didn't let me vote on the last page of the ballot and just shut off," sadi Nichols of Riverdale.

She said the judges were professional when helping her cast her provisional ballot.

"I'm glad we have that option," she said. "I just hope they don't count my vote twice."

Sherry Hall-Walker of Riverdale said she came out to vote because she wants a change.

"My most important issue is the schools," Hall-Walker said. "Class sizes are increasing, and some teachers aren't qualified."

Although her children are in college, she said she has grandchildren entering the school district.

Chester M. Plummer of Riverdale said the elections between terms are the most important.

"People don't realize that Congress can change so quickly," Plummer said.

Although he said he pays attention to local issues, he also follows issues related to the economy and foreign policy.

Voters continued to trickle into the precinct over the hour, but polls will remain open until 8 p.m. and volunteers hope more voters will show.

At stake are the party nominations for candidates for county executive, county sheriff, county state's attorney, register of wills, three judicial seats, nine board of education seats, and nine county council seats. Voters also will decide 17 seats on the Democratic Central Committee and seven seats on the Republican Central Committee.  

The races for county executive, county sheriff, and county state's attorney are particularly competitive, with a respective five, seven, and five candidates running for each. All 17 are democrats.

Original post, 9 a.m., Riverdale Elementary School:

It was slow but steady at Riverdale Elementary School Tuesday morning, as some residents came to cast their ballot in the primary.

Chief Republican Judge Kay Marcos said she believes many people will cast their votes after work.

"You know, it's really hard to tell," Marcos said, of when the polls might be busy.

She said during the early voting process she saw more than .

"All the working folks came before and after work," Marcos said.

Of the few who came Tuesday morning to cast their vote, their main reason for voting was that it was a part of their civic duty.

"If we're in a democracy, we need to vote," said Leslie Plant of Riverdale Park.

Plant she said she's most concerned with the state of the economy.

"I'm hoping the people I vote for raise the civility of politics," Plant said.

David Duffany of Riverdale Park said the Prince George's County executive race was the most important for him.

"The county executive race will help shape where the county goes in the next four years," Duffany said.

He said he's most concerned with how funding will be handed out to local police departments and fire departments and with legislation surrounding education.

Although the ballot is full of political newcomers, Duffany said it's better to have the freedom of choice.

"It's great when you have a larger pool of candidates," he said. "You can shift the momentum."