After Record-Breaking Day, Early Voting Continues In Maryland Tuesday
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- After a record-breaking start Monday, early voting continued in Maryland Tuesday.
More than 161,000 Marylanders cast their ballots on the state's first day of early in-person voting, breaking the state's previous single-day record of 143,494 in 2016.
Nearly 1,000 people registered at the polls Monday.
'So Far, So Good': More Than 161K Early In-Person Votes Cast Monday, Breaking Record, State Reports
Experts said they're predicting unusually high turnout this year, especially among young voters.
Officials are encouraging people to vote early and at off-peak times to limit crowds and wait times.
The Maryland State Board of Elections said Tuesday over 153,000 people showed up to vote.
The 8pm unofficial early voting count for today is 153,493! Vote early at any early voting center in your county or City of residence. Centers are open 7a-8p daily through Monday, November 2. See all early voting info at https://t.co/z3gcjmfJjj #MDvotes #TrustedInfo2020 pic.twitter.com/lYblQaeun4
— Maryland Elections (@md_sbe) October 28, 2020
105,399 votes had been cast statewide by 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Maryland State Board of Elections reported.
As of 4pm, the unofficial early voting count for today is 105,399. Be the 105,400th by planning ahead, saving time & voting early at an early voting center in your county or city of residence. Wear your face mask! ???? Learn more & see locations at https://t.co/z3gcjmfJjj #MDvotes pic.twitter.com/gvgccYBNLw
— Maryland Elections (@md_sbe) October 27, 2020
By 5 p.m. Tuesday, 8,637 people had voted at the eight sites across Baltimore City.
What time is it? Its numbers time!
— Baltimore City Elections (@Bmore_Elections) October 27, 2020
The 5 pm numbers are as follows:
Morgan 1567
Cross Country 1086
Mount Pleasant 1393
BCCC 965
Southeast Anchor 1029
New Era 327
Oriole Park 1055
Edmondson 1215
For a total of 8637 pic.twitter.com/K9IGOifHXL
In Baltimore City, the election director said everyone was compliant with masks.
Neighbors helping neighbors vote at Camden Yards today #vote #VoteEarly @wjz pic.twitter.com/UbcdIklQsf
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) October 27, 2020
"We have not had those issues. We have masks for those who do not have them. Yesterday, I stayed pretty much at three sites—and I saw no one come without a mask," Baltimore City Election Director Armstead Jones told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren. "If you want to choose not to wear a mask, I think you just don't involve other people who are around you. You do that in your own space."
There were small lines at Camden Yards Tuesday, but most people were in and out within minutes and enthusiasm remained high.
"I'm super excited to see the young people out voting and super excited to see what the rest of the week is going to look like leading up to election day," said voter Krystal Leaphart.
Marjorie Kidwell's neighbors brought her to cast her ballot. "They were on point in there, very well organized and no hassles. No hiccups," Kidwell told Helgren. "I could not have done it without either one of my neighbors. This is an important election, and I'm glad we're all able to come and do this. Too much is at stake."
Her neighbor Larry Crawford had a smile on his face as he helped her from her wheelchair back into his car. "I help my neighbors out. This election is real important," he said.
Voter C.J. Koluch praised election officials. "I waited two minutes and that's it. It was really, really easy this year," Koluch said. "I think everyone wants to make sure their voice is heard this year."
More than one million Marylanders have cast their ballots through the mail.
We've received 1,015,944 mail-in ballots as of today! You can see the data at https://t.co/O2SzmNrHgp Have a mail-in ballot? Drop it in a drop box in your county or City at https://t.co/sYqHZUNkyz Don't forget to sign your voter oath! #MDvotes #VoteByMail #MailInBallots ✉️????️???????????? https://t.co/V9pxfwur0B
— Maryland Elections (@md_sbe) October 27, 2020
Gov. Larry Hogan and election officials are encouraging people to cast their ballots early and go on off-peak times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
"We encouraged everybody to take advantage of early voting because we were afraid there would be long lines on election day," Gov. Hogan said.
On the record turnout, Gov. Hogan said, "I think that's a good thing."
Polls will be open for early voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Nov. 2. Election Day is on Nov. 3.