WORCESTER COUNTY– More than any single race for office, the central storyline coming out of June’s primary election was the historically low turnout.
The off-year primary pulled in just 20 percent of registered voters in Worcester County, down 10 percent from the similar primary held four years ago.
Maryland previously held primary elections in September, but the state moved up to the summer date to give candidates more time to campaign for the general election in November.
County Commissioner Bud Church blamed the low turnout on lack of knowledge and voter apathy.
“I was shocked,” he said. “I walked into Ocean City Elementary and there was no one there – there were people sitting around the table, but I was the only one voting. At one place in Snow Hill I heard just 15 people turned out to vote.
“I think the date change had a lot to do with it,” Church continued. “People weren’t geared to having the election this early. Usually you vote in September and then you race into the general. It definitely did have an effect. But I think by November they’ll be ready. People have so much to do in the summertime.”
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams was similarly miffed.
“When they first moved the primary to June I thought, ‘I don’t know about the rest of the state, but I don’t think that’s going to work down here,’” he said. “I think people recognize that late May to September is make-it-or-break-it time for everybody here, regardless of what business you’re in.
“I don’t blame people,” Williams continued. “When you’ve got to balance making a living and dealing with summer vacations for kids and all the activities they have, and family visits – everything is a higher priority than politics right now.”
Senator Jim Mathias has continued to campaign furiously, despite the low turnout – and the fact that he was unopposed in the primary.
“I appreciate every person that participated in early voting – every person that participated in Election Day – and I’m asking them to please show their dedication and enthusiasm,” he said. “It’s a process to have a voice in government, and I’m asking them to extend that to their family and to their neighbors to make certain that we get everybody possible out there on Election Day.
“The outcome of these elections is vital to our quality of life here and where we do and what the policies are in our state,” Mathias continued. “This was a departure from what had been in September, and particularly in a beach community and the like where we have a number of small businesses and agriculture – there were a number of contributing factors, I think. But change is always something that takes time to catch up with, and the nature of the season here given our economy here has certain pressures.”
Mathias expects the turnout to increase by the November general election.
“Our solid foundation remains energized,” he said. “We’ll have an early voting session before November the fourth, and I encourage people to early vote. If you have a job with time constraints or other issues – early vote. If it looks like you’re not going to be here, make sure you get out and absentee vote. And certainly make sure you get out on the traditional Election Day as well.”
Judy Davis, who won the Democratic nomination for the newly created Maryland Delegate District 38C seat, blamed the low turnout on the earlier voting date.
“For the actual primary day, I was surprised because we thought with the governor’s race there would be more interest. So we were all surprised that the election results were so week.
“We’re moving forward to the November election, and we just have to make sure that people realize the sacrifices that others made in order to have that constitutional right to elect a public official,” Davis added.
Patti Jackson, Worcester County’s Board of Elections supervisor, theorized that the low turnout may have been due to the large number of races that were unopposed.
“I think there will be races and more opposition in November,” she said. “I think having more races and more of a choice will increase turnout.”
Polls open at 7 a.m. on Nov. 4 and remain open until 8 p.m. Early voting runs from Oct. 23-30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
For polling locations or more information call 410.632.1320 or visit www.co.worcester.md.us/elections.
The off-year primary pulled in just 20 percent of registered voters in Worcester County, down 10 percent from the similar primary held four years ago.
Maryland previously held primary elections in September, but the state moved up to the summer date to give candidates more time to campaign for the general election in November.
County Commissioner Bud Church blamed the low turnout on lack of knowledge and voter apathy.
“I was shocked,” he said. “I walked into Ocean City Elementary and there was no one there – there were people sitting around the table, but I was the only one voting. At one place in Snow Hill I heard just 15 people turned out to vote.
“I think the date change had a lot to do with it,” Church continued. “People weren’t geared to having the election this early. Usually you vote in September and then you race into the general. It definitely did have an effect. But I think by November they’ll be ready. People have so much to do in the summertime.”
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams was similarly miffed.
“When they first moved the primary to June I thought, ‘I don’t know about the rest of the state, but I don’t think that’s going to work down here,’” he said. “I think people recognize that late May to September is make-it-or-break-it time for everybody here, regardless of what business you’re in.
“I don’t blame people,” Williams continued. “When you’ve got to balance making a living and dealing with summer vacations for kids and all the activities they have, and family visits – everything is a higher priority than politics right now.”
Senator Jim Mathias has continued to campaign furiously, despite the low turnout – and the fact that he was unopposed in the primary.
“I appreciate every person that participated in early voting – every person that participated in Election Day – and I’m asking them to please show their dedication and enthusiasm,” he said. “It’s a process to have a voice in government, and I’m asking them to extend that to their family and to their neighbors to make certain that we get everybody possible out there on Election Day.
“The outcome of these elections is vital to our quality of life here and where we do and what the policies are in our state,” Mathias continued. “This was a departure from what had been in September, and particularly in a beach community and the like where we have a number of small businesses and agriculture – there were a number of contributing factors, I think. But change is always something that takes time to catch up with, and the nature of the season here given our economy here has certain pressures.”
Mathias expects the turnout to increase by the November general election.
“Our solid foundation remains energized,” he said. “We’ll have an early voting session before November the fourth, and I encourage people to early vote. If you have a job with time constraints or other issues – early vote. If it looks like you’re not going to be here, make sure you get out and absentee vote. And certainly make sure you get out on the traditional Election Day as well.”
Judy Davis, who won the Democratic nomination for the newly created Maryland Delegate District 38C seat, blamed the low turnout on the earlier voting date.
“For the actual primary day, I was surprised because we thought with the governor’s race there would be more interest. So we were all surprised that the election results were so week.
“We’re moving forward to the November election, and we just have to make sure that people realize the sacrifices that others made in order to have that constitutional right to elect a public official,” Davis added.
Patti Jackson, Worcester County’s Board of Elections supervisor, theorized that the low turnout may have been due to the large number of races that were unopposed.
“I think there will be races and more opposition in November,” she said. “I think having more races and more of a choice will increase turnout.”
Polls open at 7 a.m. on Nov. 4 and remain open until 8 p.m. Early voting runs from Oct. 23-30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
For polling locations or more information call 410.632.1320 or visit www.co.worcester.md.us/elections.