Eastern Shore 2022 election results: Races tighten, reverse for Worcester school board
Delmarva Now will be reporting updates on the 2022 election is they come in. Refresh this page for the latest news
Buchanan, Abbott in close race for Worcester school board
The District 1 race for Worcester County Board of Education remains close after the first canvassing date, with less than 50 votes separating the candidates. Unofficial results initially gave John Abbott an election day lead, but Friday's counts shifted Bill Buchanan ahead 1,103-1,054.
In the county Board of Education race for District 6, Katie Ann Addis leads 1,961 to Nate Passwaters' 1,478.
Still to come are canvasing dates of Nov. 16 set aside for provisional, and Nov. 18 for mail-in canvas 2 and certification.
Worcester sports complex votes narrow
The local referendum to decide Worcester County sports complex funding for design and building has narrowed in unofficial votes after the first canvassing date.
The vote now stands at 10,482 for and 11,208 against.
Whether to fund a sports complex to be built near Ocean City has been highly debated for months. After much discussion, the Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-3 in favor of the purchase of land to construct a sports complex April 19. The county remains under contract to purchase the land.
The plan for the 95.521 acres of property, located west of Stephen Decatur High School, is to build a multipurpose, indoor-outdoor athletic complex with restrooms, parking and concession stands. The site is intended to satisfy both recreation and travel sports. Additional park amenities would include walking trails, ponds and a playground.
Worcester races still in tight groupings
In addition to the Worcester County Board of Education District 1 race, which flipped leaders with the first canvasing date, there are other close races to watch in the county. The school board's District 6 race is also tight.
In the Worcester County Commissioner's District 1 race, 258 unofficial votes currently separate the candidates. Caryn Abbott has 1,305 to Joshua C. Nordstrom's 1,047, after Friday's first canvasing.
Republicans Carozza and Mautz lead in State Senate races
Votes continue to roll in for Maryland’s 2022 Gubernatorial Election.
According to unofficial results posted on the State Board of Elections website, Republican Johnny Mautz currently holds a commanding lead in the District 37 State Senate race, taking 25,970 votes or 65.92% of the vote. Mautz was up against Democrat Naomi Hyman, who received 13,388 votes or 33.98% of the vote.
Like Mautz, in the District 38 State Senate race, Republican Mary Beth Carozza leads with 27,589 votes or 71.73% of the vote. Carozza ran against Democrat Michele Gregory, who received 10,835 votes or 28.17% of the vote. In both races, 100% of election day precincts are reporting.
[ For vote counts on races in Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties, click here. ]
Lines stay steady and consistent in Wicomico
As voting heads into the late afternoon, things remained smooth at polling places in Wicomico, with the Wicomico County Board of elections continuing to report steady lines with little hiccups. As of 3 p.m. approximately 11,900 people had voted in Wicomico County on Election Day.
In terms of mail-in votes, 5,361 mail-in ballots were received out of the 7042 that were sent out in Wicomico County.
Flow of voters increases throughout day in Somerset
With less than four hours left before voting concludes, the Somerset County Board of Elections continues to report no technical issues across the county, but a rising flow of voters.
The county reports a constant flow of voters but officials added it has grown exceptionally busier as the day has gone on. Voting will conclude at 8 p.m.
MORE:Election results from around the Eastern Shore
Polling locations are as busy as ever in Worcester County. As of noon, Election Program Assistant Karen Timmons reported a total of 4,899 voters having shown up to the polls. The number continues to climb, she said. She anticipates a steady stream of voters throughout the rest of the day. Timmons reminds voters that anyone who steps in line by 8 p.m. is still eligible to vote.
Unanticipated large influx of voters
Worcester County shows no signs of slowing down as the gubernatorial election presses on.
Voting polls are seeing a large influx of voters across the county, Election Program Assistant Karen Timmons said. Worcester County was not expecting such a large amount of voters during this election, and is experiencing a small shortage of election judges as a result.
The county is currently on the hunt for more election judges to help with the influx, Timmons said.
The greatest voting surge is being seen in towns such as Pocomoke, Snow Hill, Ocean Pines and Ocean City. All precincts are currently reporting, Timmons said. This year, there was a total of 42,552 registered active voters in Worcester County.
Somerset County is running as smooth as can be, Acting Election Director Julia Cox reported. So far, there has been a steady flow of voters, with over 1,200 having shown up to the polls as of 1 p.m. today. Cox is surprised by the amount, as she and the Somerset County Election Board expected less.
This year, Somerset County counted a total of 14,000 registered voters. All precincts are currently reporting.
Updates from Wicomico County
Wicomico County's Election Director Dionne Church reported a smooth start to Election Day on Tuesday morning, with lines staying steady and consistent at the polling places. Church also reported that the number of voters so far was up compared to what they saw at the primaries earlier this year.
Del. Dan Cox, Republican candidate for governor, casts ballot
Republican candidate for governor Delegate Dan Cox, Frederick/Carroll, cast his ballot at Sabillasville Environmental School in northern Frederick County this morning. He was accompanied at the polls with his wife, Valerie.
In an interview afterwards, Cox said the state's election workers are "doing us all a civic favor."
When asked if he would accept the calls of results from news organizations like he did in the primary election, Cox said he would accept the "lawful and constitutional results."
"I would look forward to proper news reporting and to make sure that the vote is in before the calls are starting to be made," he said.
Cox plans to see the results come in at an election night event he is hosting in Annapolis.
Latest updates from Worcester, Somerset County
Maryland’s 2022 Gubernatorial Election is off to a sound start.
Worcester County Election Program Assistant Karen Timmons has reported a smooth start to the day, with long lines stretching out the door at 7 a.m. Lines have since shortened. Worcester County sent out a total of 5,644 absentee ballots and 4,343 were returned by election day. Timmons said the county did not have as many early voters as it expected.
According to Timmons, the county ran into a slight snag in Pocomoke early in the morning — a shortage of election judges. A total of 4 election judges, the majority from Pocomoke, called in sick and had to be replaced. No matter, Timmons said Worcester County is able to work shorthanded if ever needed.
Over in Somerset County, election day is going well. Acting Election Director Julia Cox reported no long lines and a total of 800 returned absentee ballots. Typically, the number of people who turn out to vote in Maryland’s Gubernatorial Election is low, said Cox, and she does not expect that to change anytime soon.
Headed to the polls
Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties will see changes in many elected positions as voters head to the polls Nov. 8.
All three Lower Shore counties have county council or commissioner races up for grabs, while some of the more hotly contested races involve school boards, following a national trend. The Wicomico County Executive race has also drawn high interest.
State senators and delegates are also being decided. As is the U.S. House's District 1 seat.
Where to vote, Maryland voting hours
Mail-in ballots have until 8 p.m. Nov. 8 to be either postmarked or placed into a designated ballot box.
On Election Day, polling places are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
To find your assigned polling location, visit the Maryland State Board of Elections website.
Maryland does allow day-of registration at what would be your designated polling place; bring documents to prove where you live.
MORE:Everything to know before you head out to vote: Maryland 2022 election
Early voting closed Nov. 3 in Maryland.
Voters should be sure to print their mail-in ballot received by email. Only ballots that are printed, completed, and returned will be counted. The State Board of Elections website says the following:
“You must mail or hand deliver your mail-in ballot to a voting location, a ballot drop off box, or your local board of elections. You cannot email or fax your voted mail-in ballot.”
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Eastern Shore election results and updates: Key Worcester races tighten
