Politics & Government

Weak Showing at Polls in University Park

Less than 100 people came out to vote in the town's uncontested race.

Update, 8:42 p.m.: After the ballots were counted, Chief Election Judge Ed Lee determined there was 80 voters total.

Only one voter, casted a ballot for no one, while all the other ballots casted counted towards a candidate.

Ward 2 had the highest showing with 39 voters, while Ward 6 had the lowest with 9 voters.

Find out what's happening in Riverdale Park-University Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At 6:30 p.m.: By 5:45 p.m., another 35 voters came by to cast the ballots, making the total 43 voters for the day.

Among them were former mayors, the current Mayor John Tabori, current council members and candidates for office.

Find out what's happening in Riverdale Park-University Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The polls will close at 8 p.m.

Original Post, 12:00 p.m.: Only eight people came out to the polls Tuesday morning in University Park to vote.

By 10:30 a.m., barely anyone had come out to vote, but Stephanie Herold, an election judge, said if it rains later the voter turnout may remain low.

"This town is pretty pragmatic," Herold said. "If they like someone, they are OK knowing they would win with one vote."

University Park, like , has a race that is completely uncontested. It's unlike the city of Hyattsville where 10 people for five council seats and three people are running for mayor. Edmonston had a contested race for their mayoral seat but not for the council seat.

Herold said if the council candidates knocked on doors, more people may come out to vote.

"I think the candidates get more excited and motivated about a position if more people come out and vote," she added.

Although this year the race isn't heated, Herold said in the past when the issues were bigger, more voters came out. For example, the Queens Chapel Road closure and the pension plan for employees were hotly debated topics.

Chief Election Judge Ed Lee is keeping count of the paper ballots, so the count won't take too long at the end of the day.

In town any 18-year-old resident who's registered to vote and has lived in town for 30 days can vote. This includes renters who have a valid license verifying their address.


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