By Steve Crane | Editor-in-chief
“They are jacked up to vote. On the Democrat side, they’re willing to run through a brick building to cast their vote.” - Jim Burton, founder of Burton Research and Strategies, on the 67% increase in early voting in Maryland this year compared to four years ago, and the particularly sharp rise in Democratic voters.
The elections are heating up, as our story on the District 30 state Senate race shows, but we didn’t have to tell you that — early numbers show voters are flocking to the polls. Welcome to Wednesday.
The race for state Senate in Annapolis-based District 30, between Democratic Sen. Shaneka Henson and former Anne Arundel County Councilmember Jessica Haire, a Republican, could be a historic first for Henson or a near-historic upset for Haire. What’s certain is that it’s one of the most closely watched State House races this fall, as William J. Ford and Danielle J. Brown report.
But there’s clearly interest elsewhere on the ballot, as early voting in the state is surging, mirroring a national trend. Turnout was up 67% through the first five days of early in-person voting this year, compared to four years ago, and Democrats are turning out in particulary large numbers. Pera Onal has that story.
Those headlines — plus news that federal election monitors will be watching Prince George’s County polls — are below, along with headlines from the week and a reminder that our election contest is out for you to enter. Enjoy!
Sen. Shaneka Henson (D-Anne Arundel) speaks at a recent reception at Metropolitan Kitchen and Lounge in Annapolis. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman (D), right, and Spencer Jones, a Democrat seeking a county council seat, listen. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)
By William J. Ford and Danielle J. Brown
Sen. Shaneka Henson (D-Anne Arundel), appointed to fill the District 30 Senate seat in early 2025, is looking to make history this fall by becoming the first Black senator elected to represent Anne Arundel County. And state Democrats are spending heavily to make sure that happens.
In campaign reports filed Friday, the Maryland Democratic Senate Caucus Committee reported $488,399.10 of in-kind contributions to Henson's campaign in just the past two months.
It's the latest turn in what was already one of the most-heated legislative races in the general election, with charges of ethics violations and racism and a vocal split by Democrats dismayed by Henson's more moderate stance on social issues like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. The fighting has also boosted the odds on Republican nominee Jessica Haire in a Senate district the Democrats have held for at least 44 years. Haire, a former Anne Arundel County Council member, said she supports abortion access as a matter of "personal freedom."
Overall, Henson's campaign reports raising $316,510.19 and spending $267,510.41, in addition to the in-kind contributions from the Senate caucus fund. Haire reported raising $252,453.95 and spending $288,292.96. Her campaign also got $58,437.84 of in-kind contributions from the Senate Republican Caucus Committee over the past two months.
Campaign signs lined up near Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Center in Prince George's County during early voting Tuesday. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)
By Pera Onal
Early voting in Maryland is surging, with turnout 67% higher through the first five days of in-person voting than it was at the same time four years ago, according to data from the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Higher voting was recorded in every county in the state, with 309,190 voters having cast ballots through Monday, compared to 185,121 voters after the first five days of voting in 2022. The surge mirrors a national spike in early voting, with more than 34 million Americans already having cast ballots, a week before Election Day on Nov. 3.
Democrats in Maryland have been particularly motivated to vote early, with their numbers up 81% over four years ago, compared to 33% for GOP voters, according to an analysis of state data by Jim Burton, the founder of political and public affairs consulting firm Burton Research and Strategies.
Burton said the higher numbers could be voters expressing their displeasure with the administration of President Donald Trump, or due to local or regional issues, since the surge is being seen everywhere in the state. Nikki Tyree, the executive director of Maryland’s League of Women Voters, said she thinks big issues like data centers, the cost of living, or Question 3, the proposed constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting, are driving voters this year.
IN OTHER NEWS
Early voting surges nationwide: Tens of millions of Americans have already cast ballots as early voting is underway in a midterm election that will determine control of the House and the Senate, possibly flipping one or both from Republicans to Democrats.
Feds dispatch 1,000 election monitors: The Justice Department is sending election monitors to all 50 states, expanding a long-standing practice that's being met this year with concern after Trump administration attempts to exert control over local elections.
Sphere project on a roll: The Prince George’s County Council gave final approval Tuesday to a deal committing the county to financing up to $215 million to help bring the proposed $1.4 billion Sphere entertainment venue to National Harbor.
MATTERS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Clean energy boost: Maryland is starting to take applications for a program to bolster solar, wind and battery storage projects with state grant funding under a $200 million program, called Megawatts for Maryland, established this year by the General Assembly.
A static Congress: Fewer than 5% of U.S. House races are seen by political analysts as truly competitive heading into November’s midterm elections, giving relatively few voters the ability to determine which party controls the chamber for the next two years.
Political notes: While most top Democrats rallied again Monday for Question 3, the proposed constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting, one was notably absent, LCV's Kristen Harbeson moves on; and voting deadlines loom, in political notes.
It’s contest time: Ugly and frightening as election season gets – or is that Halloween? – there are some reassuring bits. First, voters get their say. Second, Maryland Matters readers can enter our election contest and show off how smart they are. Enter now.
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