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Record early voting turnout in Maryland’s primary Record early voting turnout in Maryland’s primary
(35 minutes later)
A record number of Maryland voters have cast early ballots ahead of Tuesday’s primary, which features an unusually high-profile mix of a protracted presidential contest, an open U.S. Senate seat and a lively Baltimore mayoral race.A record number of Maryland voters have cast early ballots ahead of Tuesday’s primary, which features an unusually high-profile mix of a protracted presidential contest, an open U.S. Senate seat and a lively Baltimore mayoral race.
Nearly 260,000 people cast ballots in the eight days of early voting that ended Thursday, or 7.5 percent of eligible voters. Nearly 260,000 people, or 7.5 percent of eligible voters, cast ballots in the eight days of early voting that ended Thursday.
That’s three times the early voter turnout in the 2012 presidential primary, when President Obama was uncontested in the Democratic primary and Republican Mitt Romney was on the verge of clinching the nomination. Since then, Maryland has added two more early voting days and additional sites. That’s three times the early voter turnout in the 2012 presidential primary, when President Obama was uncontested in the Democratic primary and Republican Mitt Romney was on the verge of clinching the nomination. Since then, Maryland has added two early voting days and additional sites.
The April 26 primary also falls during Passover, possibly boosting early voter turnout from Jewish voters.The April 26 primary also falls during Passover, possibly boosting early voter turnout from Jewish voters.
Nikki Charlson, Maryland’s deputy elections administrator, says she expects the share of voters casting ballots early to continue growing. It was 21 percent in the 2014 primary. Nikki Charlson, Maryland’s deputy elections administrator, said she expects the share of voters casting ballots early to continue growing. It was 21 percent in the 2014 primary.
In addition to contested Republican and Democratic presidential nomination battles, U.S. Reps. Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen are leaving the House to compete in a hard-fought race to succeed Barbara Mikulski in the Senate. In addition to contested Republican and Democratic presidential nomination battles, Democratic Reps. Donna F. Edwards and Chris Van Hollen are leaving the House to compete in a hard-fought race to succeed Barbara A. Mikulski (D) in the Senate.
[Big fundraising hauls in Maryland Senate race][Big fundraising hauls in Maryland Senate race]
Early voter turnout eclipsed 30,000 in open 4th and 8th Congressional District races to succeed Edwards and Van Hollen. A similar number of voters cast ballots in Baltimore City, where Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s decision to not seek reelection prompted a free-for-all to replace her. Early voter turnout eclipsed 30,000 in open 4th and 8th Congressional District races to succeed Edwards and Van Hollen. A similar number of voters cast ballots in Baltimore, where Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s decision to not seek reelection prompted a free-for-all to replace her.
Nearly 9 percent of Maryland’s 2 million eligible Democrats cast early ballots, while 6.65 percent of eligible Republicans did.Nearly 9 percent of Maryland’s 2 million eligible Democrats cast early ballots, while 6.65 percent of eligible Republicans did.
The 2016 early voting period was also the first time Maryland residents could register to vote on the same day as casting ballots. Nearly 400 new Republicans and 1,500 new Democrats registered under this provision, but people were not allowed to change party affiliations to vote for favored candidates.The 2016 early voting period was also the first time Maryland residents could register to vote on the same day as casting ballots. Nearly 400 new Republicans and 1,500 new Democrats registered under this provision, but people were not allowed to change party affiliations to vote for favored candidates.
Same-day voter registration is not available during the April 26 primary.Same-day voter registration is not available during the April 26 primary.
The early voting period was also the debut of a new paper-based voting system where voters would fill out printed ballots with pen and feed them through scanners instead of using electronic machines without a paper trail. The early voting period was also the debut of a paper-based voting system in which voters would fill out printed ballots with pen and feed them through scanners instead of using electronic machines without a paper trail.
[Maryland ditches touch screen voting machines for early voting] [Md. ditches early-voting machines that don’t display all candidates’ names]
State election officials scrapped plans to use touch screen machines for early voting over concerns that they made it difficult to navigate large lists of candidates. Some feared long lines as a result of voters confused about how to use the new machines, but elections officials say they did not materialize. State election officials scrapped plans to use touch-screen machines for early voting over concerns that they made it difficult to navigate large lists of candidates. Some feared long lines as a result of voters confused about how to use the new machines, but elections officials say they did not materialize.
“We had very, very few issues,” said Charlson. “Voters seemed to accept them with some instruction.” “We had very, very few issues,” Charlson said. “Voters seemed to accept them with some instruction.”