Annapolis Primary Election Recount: Results Stand After Candidate Challenges Close Race

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A Tuesday recount of one Annapolis City Council Democratic primary election yielded the same results as the initial tally. The second canvass confirmed that Alderwoman Sheila M. Finlayson beat newcomer Toni Strong-Pratt by five votes in the Ward 4 contest, officials announced.

The primary election was on Sept. 21. Annapolis released the ballot counts on Sept. 28.

The challenger requested a review last Friday morning about five hours before the deadline to do so.

"Strong-Pratt alleged that an unofficial spreadsheet of total ballots cast that was corrected during the Tuesday, September 28 canvass represented a potential irregularity in the final vote count," city spokesperson Mitchelle Stephenson said in a press release. "Official results are those certified by the Board of Supervisors of Elections (BOSE) and filed with the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. Strong-Pratt made no reference to errors in the official count."

The Democrat had to put down a security deposit to cover the cost of the retabulation. Strong-Pratt would have gotten the money back if the recount reversed the results. Because the tally stayed the same, she lost the bond.

Other Primary Election Results

Two other Democratic incumbents won their Annapolis City Council primaries.

Officeholder Rhonda Pindell Charles defeated challenger Keanuú Smith-Brown in the race for Ward 3. Alderman Ross H. Arnett edged out opponent Kathleen George in the Ward 8 election.

These were the only other districts where multiple candidates from the same party sought the nomination.

Neither Pindell Charles nor Finlayson has Republican competition in the general election, so they will retain their city council seats. Arnett must beat Rockford Toews (R) in November to keep his position.

No Republican races were contested. Every GOP candidate automatically advanced to the general election.

The Democrats' Sept. 28 victory announcement was the third and final vote tally. Every incumbent but Finlayson held a lead heading into the last ballot count. Finlayson overcame that deficit, however, and squeezed out a five-vote victory to maintain her council spot.

The first report only included the votes cast at the polls on Sept. 21's primary election day. The second update came the next day, tallying dropbox and mail-in ballots received on or before Sept. 16. Canvassers then counted the at least 876 provisional, dropbox or mail-in ballots collected at later dates.

Voter turnout increased from 2017 in the City Council Democratic primary election, leaders said.

The three contested wards had a combined turnout of 1,327 last time around. This year, they collected 1,605 ballots through the first two vote counts. That number increased with the third tally.

“We are pleased with the process and the turnout,” stated Eileen Leahy, chair of the Board of Supervisors of Elections. “Our goal was to deliver an election that was fair and transparent and accessible for voters. I thank the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections for their professionalism.”

Here are the final vote totals. The names of incumbents are bolded and underlined.

General Election

The general election is on Nov. 2. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Residents had to register to vote at this link by Oct. 4. Locals can check if they are already registered by clicking here.

For the first time ever, Annapolis will mail a ballot to all registered voters around Oct. 20. Residents can send their completed ballots by mail to the indicated address or they can place them in a dropbox at any precinct.

Residents who prefer to vote in person should ignore the ballot mailed to them. They must vote at their assigned precinct on election day. Those polling and dropbox locations are listed on this website.

Annapolitans can call (410) 222-0498 with any questions. The City of Annapolis Board of Supervisors of Elections posted more information at annapolis.gov/elections.

Here are the candidates who will run in the general election. The names of incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Mayor

• Gavin Buckley (D)
• Steven Strawn (R)

City Council Ward 1

• Eleanor M. Tierney (D)
• Uncontested

City Council Ward 2

• Scott Gibson (R)
• Karma O'Neill (D)
• Note: Alderman Frederick M. Paone is not running for re-election

City Council Ward 3

• Rhonda Pindell Charles (D)

City Council Ward 4

• Sheila M. Finlayson (D)

City Council Ward 5

• Brooks Schandelmeier (D)
• Monica Manthey (R)

City Council Ward 6

• DaJuan Gay (D)
• George Michael Gallagher (R)

City Council Ward 7

• Rob Savidge (D)
• Uncontested

City Council Ward 8

• Ross H. Arnett (D)
• Rockford Toews (R)

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RELATED:

• Challenger In Ward 4 City Council Primary Election Formally Requests Recanvass
• Incumbents Defeat Challengers In Annapolis Democratic Primaries
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• Annapolis Vote-By-Mail Elections Can Proceed After Court Of Appeals Rejects Lawsuit
• Annapolis Board Of Elections Certifies Candidates For 2021 City Municipal Elections

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