Checking in Around The County

Editor's Note: This is a roundup of reports from Patch editors around Anne Arundel County. For more in-depth coverage of Broadneck, Crofton, Historic Annapolis and Greater Annapolis, check out those live Patch sites. 

Broadneck Patch editor Laura Tayman reports that in her community, with long lines at polling places like Belvedere Elementary. 

In Crofton, editor Carisa Chappell writes that voter traffic was steady. She caught up with State Senator Ed Reilly, who noted that with sample ballots in hand. 

Down in Annapolis, there was heavy turnout and

Here are some additional reports from editors of soon-to-be-launched Patch sites. 

Severna Park

Many residents in District 5 in Severna Park who normally would vote at Folger McKinsey Elementary School on Arundel Beach Road were re-assigned to other local polling locations, including Pasadena United Methodist Church on Ritchie Highway. The school is currently under construction, forcing many residents to other schools and churches to cast their votes.

By 10 a.m. today, election judges at Pasadena United Methodist Church recorded 168 voters for District 5, Precinct 10. Voters came streaming in before heading to work and there were about 90 people in line at 9 a.m.

"We've had a decent turnout so far today," said Sophia Manos, an election official. "It's been pretty consistent with a flux of folks in and out today."

Rick Carlson of Severna Park took the opportunity to share his right to vote with his three young sons, turning it into an educational tool by talking with them about the importance of voting. 

"We talked about it [voting] on the way over in the car," said Carlson. "It's a great opportunity to do this. There are so many places in the world where you don't get to vote. One vote can make a difference. It's been a great teaching experience for these guys." — Leslie Hunt, editor of Severna Park Patch

Pasadena

Despite this year introducing early voting to Maryland, there was still an impressive turnout at Pasadena polling places.

"I've voted all Republican," said voter Charles Holmes, who said this was due to his conservative views. "I want (the Republicans) to get the country back on track."

Holmes added that he isn't happy with the job that the Democrats have been doing in office. Other Pasadena voters who declined to give their names said that they were eager to keep the Republican incumbents in office.

Candidates were also out at the polling places encouraging voters to show their support.

"I've seen lots of support today," said District 31 Delegate Nic Kipke (R), an incumbent, who was visiting Lake Shore Elementary School. "I've spent the last four years helping over 5,000 people with a wide variety of issues. The people know I'm working for them."

"There seems to be a lot of support for all four incumbents," said District 31 Delegate Steven Schuh (R), another incumbent who was also visiting Lake Shore. "We've been focusing on job creation, lower taxes and stopping illegal immigration."

Schuh added that he still saw the new candidates as a threat.

"All the major party candidates are hard working, competent people," said Schuh. "As hard as they've worked, though, we've outworked them. The voters of District 31 seem happy with their representation."

Update at 5:25 p.m.

The high voter turnout in Pasadena continued into the evening as voters got off work and headed to polling places around the area.
Despite this being the first year for Maryland's early voting process, voters have showed up at polling places throughout Election Day to support their candidates and the issues that interest them.
Question A, a hot issue for the Anne Arundel County area that determines whether to allow for zoning of slots in the county, has received a large amount of support according to electioneers. Several voters that chose to remain anonymous expressed their support for the incumbents and for Question A.
"There's been a very big turnout thus far," said Ken Funk, an electioneer supporting Derek Fink. "There's especially been a good Republican and independent voter turnout."

— Cory Galliher, editor of Pasadena Patch 

Glen Burnie

Voters in Glen Burnie turned out to the polls in a steady stream — though election judges in some precincts said the turnout was lower than during early voting.

"We've had a steady crowd. It hasn't been crowded but people have been steadily coming in," said Mary Romain, a chief election judge at North County Area Library. "We had a small line outside the doors right at 7 [a.m.]."

Election judges at Freetown and Marley elementary schools as well as the North County Area Library said the polls opened on time and without any incident.

"One woman wasn't listed on roll – we weren't able to find her anywhere, but she voted provisionally and was happy," said Sharon Rahe, a chief election judge at North County Area Library. — Maya T. Prabhu, editor of Glen Burnie Patch