Campaign 2016
Long lines in Baltimore on first day of early voting
Early voting runs though Thursday, Nov. 3
Above: The hallway was filled this morning at 1111 East Cold Spring Lane for early voting. (Francine Halvorsen)
On the first day of early voting for the 2016 General Election, voters filled the hallway at the League for People with Disabilities, one of six sites available in Baltimore for those who want to vote before Election Day on November 8.
Election officials on hand at the site, at 1111 East Cold Spring Lane, said the wait might be two hours long.
For the first time, same-day voter registration is being permitted during early voting. To register to vote, residents must bring a document that proves that they live in Maryland.
State election officials expect a heavy turnout overall, due in part to the high-profile face-off for the presidency between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump.
Baltimore residents will be voting not just on a successor to Barack Obama in the White House, but for a candidate to fill the seat of retiring U.S. Senator and hometown icon Barbara A. Mikulski.
(Yesterday’s debate between the Democratic nominee for that seat, U.S. Rep Chris Van Hollen, and the Republican candidate, Del. Kathy Szeliga had a surprise visit from Green Party candidate, Dr. Margaret Flowers. Police hustled Flowers out of the University of Baltimore auditorium and the event resumed.)
City Races, Ballot Questions
Also on the ballot for Baltimore are local races including for Mayor, City Council President, Comptroller and for the 14 City Council district seats.
As always, a number of ballot questions are before city voters as well, including Question J, a charter amendment setting up an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and Question A, which authorizes the city to borrow up to $6 million to create an Affordable Housing Program.
Question I would require biennial audits of certain city agencies.
As with the primary, early voting in Baltimore for the General Election appears heavy. (Francine Halvorsen)
Early voting continues today through next Thursday, Nov. 3, at polling locations around the state. The polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Baltimore early voting sites are:
Public Safety Training Center
3500 W. Northern Parkway
(Enter on Manhattan Ave.)
Baltimore MD 21215
Southeast Anchor Library
3601 Eastern Ave.
Baltimore MD 21224
Maritime Industries Academy School #431
5001 Sinclair Lane (Rear entrance)
(Enter on Truesdale Ave.)
Baltimore, Maryland 21206
The League for People with Disabilities
1111 E. Coldspring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21239
Westside Skill Center
4501 Edmondson Ave. (Enter on Athol Ave.)
Baltimore MD 21229
University of Maryland at Baltimore Community Engagement Center
1 North Poppleton St.
Baltimore MD 21201
For more information, the Baltimore City Board of Elections is online here or call them at 410-396-5550. For the State Board of Elections, go online here or call them at 410 269-2840.
The Enoch Pratt Free Library also has published a very nicely formatted General Election Voting Guide.