Early voting slows in state after huge 1st-day turnout

Signs for some of the candidates including those for the open seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin greet visitors during early voting for the presidential election at Mount Pleasant Ministries near Parkville. Karl Merton Ferron/Staff

With about a week until Election Day, voters continued to show up early in Maryland — but not as frequently as on day one.

Early in-person voting dropped over the weekend as the combined number of voters for Saturday and Sunday slightly topped those who voted on Thursday, the first day of early in-person voting.

More than 1,800 registered to vote and 154,233 people cast their ballots at the state’s 97 early voting centers between Saturday and Sunday — the third and fourth days of early voting, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections.

The first day of early voting, Oct. 24, saw 150,315 voters, which Maryland elections administrator Jared DeMarinis said “could be a historic number” in a post on X.

More than 54,000 people, including Gov. Wes Moore, had voted as of 1:30 p.m. Monday, DeMarinis said.

Early voting in Maryland runs through Oct. 31, with centers open statewide from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting centers can be found on the State Board of Elections website.

“It’s so easy, it is so simple, and it’s important that you make your voice heard,” Moore said in a video with DeMarinis Monday afternoon.

‘A crime against democracy’

The calls seemed more prescient in Maryland on Monday, when ballot drop boxes were set on fire in Oregon and Washington. Though those voting disruptions on the other side of the country may prompt fears in Maryland, the state’s elections remain “safe and secure,” according to DeMarinis.

Maryland will monitor its drop boxes “a little bit closer,” though they are already under round-the-clock video surveillance. The boxes also have flaps that prevent rain or a person getting in, he said.

Prior to elections, administrators do tabletop exercises to help mitigate problems, and ballot drop box fires are on the list. “This is a scenario we’ve practiced,” DeMarinis said.

“Marylanders should feel safe and confident about using drop boxes,” he said.

But for anyone with concerns, they can also mail their ballots.

“As long as it’s postmarked by Nov. 5, your vote will be counted,” DeMarinis said.

Still, “it’s heartbreaking” that fires were set to ballot drop boxes, he said — a view shared by the Republican and Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate. It’s an effort to disenfranchise voters, DeMarinis said.

“It’s a crime against democracy. I’m happy we haven’t seen that activity in Maryland,” he said.

DeMarinis said Marylanders should feel confident in voting and that voting will not be deterred.

Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and Republican Larry Hogan, the Senate candidates in the state’s high-stakes race, also remain confident in Maryland’s election.

“Angela Alsobrooks believes that voting is not only your right but your duty,” said campaign press secretary Meredith Happy. “It is deeply disturbing to hear two ballot boxes were set on fire today in Oregon and Washington in an attempt to silence voters, but Angela knows our voices will not be silenced.”

“Governor Hogan has confidence in the security and integrity of Maryland’s elections and is grateful to everyone working tirelessly across the state to uphold our democratic process,” campaign spokeswoman Blake Kernen said.

Early voting continues through Thursday, while mail-in voting continues through Election Day on Nov. 5.

Some 303,323 mail-in ballots were returned as of 7 p.m. Sunday. DeMarinis said that nearly 180,000 additional ballots had been collected by Monday afternoon.

Ballots can be returned at any of the state’s 286 dropboxes, or through the mail if they are postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Ballot dropboxes can be found on the State Board of Elections website.

What are the big ballot choices in Maryland?

At the top of the ticket, Marylanders will make their selection for president between former President Donald Trump, a Republican, and Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat.

Maryland voters will also choose between U.S. Democratic Senate Nominee Alsobrooks and Republican nominee Hogan to determine who will replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat who is retiring after decades in public office.

Statewide, voters will also settle Question 1, which seeks to enshrine the right to reproductive health care in the state Constitution.

Down the ticket, Marylanders will vote for their congressional representatives and smaller local races, including school board representatives.

Registered voters in Baltimore City will cast ballots for mayor, their city council representatives and eight local ballot questions.

Republican Shannon Wright is running against the incumbent, Democratic Mayor Brandon Scott. Of the 14 city council districts, only five races are contested.

Have a news tip? Contact Hannah Gaskill at [e-mail], 410-320-2803 and on X as @hnnhgskllalso. Politics editor Candy Woodall can be reached at [e-mail], 443-571-1113 and on X as @candynotcandace.