You Tell Us: Why Was Voter Turnout so Low?
Participation in Tuesday's election was particularly low—even for a primary.
Did you vote on Tuesday?
If not, why not?
In Baltimore County, just under 13 percent of voters turned out for Tuesday's election, which was similar to the percentage of voters in Maryland.
At Catonsville precincts, turnout ranged from 15 percent at Westowne Elementary School to 33 percent at Charlestown Retirement Community.
| Precinct | Registered voters | Cards Cast | Percent turnout |
| Woodbridge Elementary gym | 1449 | 277 | 19.1 |
| Woodbridge Elementary cafeteria | 2488 | 484 | 19.45 |
| Johnnycake Elementary | 3025 | 453 | 14.98 |
| Westowne Elementary gym | 2762 | 348 | 12.6 |
| Westowne Elementary cafeteria | 1296 | 193 | 14.89 |
| Banneker Community Center | 2257 | 391 | 17.32 |
| Hillcrest Elementary School cafeteria | 2318 | 369 | 15.92 |
| Hillcrest Elementary School gym | 2209 | 382 | 17.29 |
| Catonsville Middle | 2571 | 484 | 18.83 |
| Catonsville High | 2049 | 298 | 14.54 |
| Western Tech | 2266 | 359 | 15.84 |
| Charlestown | 2099 | 703 | 33.49 |
| St. Paul Lutheran Church | 1867 | 372 | 19.93 |
| Edmondson Heights Elementary | 3023 | 491 | 16.24 |
Some Catonsville residents told Patch Tuesday they felt like their vote mattered more because the Republican contest was still ongoing.
Maryland’s 2008 presidential primary was held in February. Previous primaries were held in March.
The early April date, and the fact that it coincided with spring break for county schools, led to lower turnout, some opined. Election fatigue due to intense media coverage of a protracted presidential primary season and redistricting, leading to a lack of familiarity with candidates for some voters, also could have played a part.
So what about you? Did you vote? Why or why not? Were you out of town or just “checked out” while the kids were on spring break? Have you had enough of debates and political talking heads on the television?
Why do you think voter turnout was so low?
Speak out. Leave a comment below.
In This article
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Charlestown
817 Maiden Choice Ln, Catonsville, MD -
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Westowne Elementary School
401 Harlem Ln, Catonsville, MD
Kim Gregory
8:19 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I voted!
So many people were denied the right to vote. The 15th amendment gave us the right to vote, but due to the Black Codes, grandfather clauses, Jim Crow and the Klu Klux Klan; my ancerstor were restricted in their voting.
So I must vote because my ancestors were not able to. People fought & died for this right.
Woodbridge Valley
Louis Nardozi
8:55 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Ker-duh! Once you subtract 95% of Paul's votes, how much do you have left? Given the documented evidence of this happening in at least 10 states, why would anyone be surprised at it anymore?
Roberto Ansuela Problematria
9:27 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
It is an honor and a civic duty to exercise your right to cast your vote for persons one believes to represent ideals for the common good. That being said, there is no one. I would submit that the populations consensus has spoken volumes by inaction.
Bob Cross
10:22 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I can't believe that turn out is so low. I ALWAYS fulfill my obligation. If not just because it is the right thing to do, but at least to honor those who have fought, and died for this privledge.
Michael Ernest
12:26 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
The chance of ousting an incumbent are slim to none. So why vote. Nevertheless, I felt it was my obligation to try - so I voted.
Donald Lehr
12:57 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
Democrats outnumber republicans by more than 2 to 1. Obama is running basically unopposed. Independent voters cannot vote in the primary, easy enough to figure
F. Michael Blair
4:42 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
If the state of Maryland allowed those of us who are neither Democrats or Republicans (MD doesn't allow me to have INDEPENDENT on my voter card), the number of voters would have been much different. On the chart above does the number of registered voters only count Dems & Repubs?