Even though Baltimore County ranks as Maryland’s third largest jurisdiction in population and registered voters, the county led in turnout the first two of eight days of the early voting period. Some 3,111 Democrats and Republicans cast their ballots at one of the county’s 11 early voting centers, according to the state Board of Elections.
Of that total, Randallstown was the county’s busiest location, with 1,430 voters coming through on June 8 and 9. Honeygo Community Center in White Marsh followed with 839 voters and Arbutus Recreation Center with 594 voters. Maryland voters can vote at any early voting center in their jurisdiction during early, but only at their assigned polling place on Primary Election Day.
Candidates running for office know they must split their time among key locations, but a stop at Randallstown Community Center is a must to meet and greet voters. It’s also a convenient west side voting location for people coming from Owings Mills to Windsor Mill, and others who may be shopping or working in the area.
Early voting has come to take on a more relaxed atmosphere over the years, with candidates and volunteers camped out under tents with food and music to pass the time away. Political signs for candidates serve as breadcrumbs to direct voters from the main roads to the sites. The Board of Elections’ Vote Here signage further guides voters to the entrance.
For voters who prefer to vote by mail-in ballot, a drop box is placed outside the voting locations along with others throughout the county.
Numbers alone don’t tell the story, as the number of residents, the number of early voting centers and where they are placed get factored in the turnout count. Randallstown’s numbers were lower when Owings Mills Library was a designated early voting center. However, this year, the library is reserved as a backup site, according to the county Board of Elections.
Turnout on these days may be influenced by higher-than-usual voter interest, since three westside county councilmembers from Randallstown, Pikesville and Catonsville are facing off in competitive county executive and councilmanic districts.
Early voting continues through 8 p.m. on June 18. Primary Election Day is June 23 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the polling places.
Note: This story will be updated.
