Late Openings, False Gun Reports Challenge Prince George's Polls

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — After a few hiccups, Election Day ran smoothly in Prince George's County. Most voters turned out in the morning, which was when the county had its only two scares.

(This story was last updated at 6:17 p.m.)

Technical difficulties forced the Northwestern High School voting center to open late. Staffers had trouble connecting to their tablets' check-in software, but they eventually solved the problem.

It is unclear how late the Hyattsville poll opened. State election officials did not say whether the delay caused a long line.

The second close call came at Oxon Hill High School. Police were called to the voting location around 9 a.m. for a report of an armed man nearby.

Officers searched the area but found no threat. The Maryland State Board of Elections later said the report was not true.

"We take all such reports seriously," the Prince George's County Police Department tweeted at 10:45 a.m. "The polling station remains open and our officers will continue to ensure the community is safe."

With the first two problems solved, the county's biggest issue became long lines in the morning. After the initial rush slowed, voters trickled in at a manageable rate. Most polls had minimal wait times by the afternoon.

Voter Registration, Info

The voter registration deadline was Oct. 27. But you can still register to vote at an Election Day voting center on Nov. 3. Remember to bring a document that proves where you live.

Unsure if you're registered to vote? Visit the State Board of Election's voter portal.

Maryland began counting votes for the upcoming election on Oct. 1. However, the results will not be released until polls have closed and all people in line have voted on Election Day.

Return to Patch for local election results: Subscribe to free News Alerts.

Board Of Education

Your school district determines who represents you on the Board of Education. Head to this website to see which district you live in.

District 1

Incumbent David H. Murray seeks a second term representing the first district. Before winning his 2016 election, Murray attend the University of Maryland Baltimore County where he earned a bachelor's degree in financial economics.

According to Ballotpedia, Murray is committed to parent engagement, innovative programs, special education and financial literacy. For more information on Murray, click here.

District 4

Unlike Murray, Bryan M. Swann faces a challenger. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks appointed Swann to the school board in January to fill a vacancy. Now, he seeks a full, four-year term.

Swann grew up in Prince George's County Public Schools and went on to serve in the Marine Corps. He also earned two master's degrees: one in public administration from Harvard University and another in business administration from the University of Maryland.

With White House experience under President Barack Obama, Swann is now a deputy director at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He has two sons in PGCPS.

Shayla Adams-Stafford hopes to unseat Swann. Adams-Stafford is the CEO and Founder of AdaptiveX, a company that sells teacher training software.

Her top priorities include building new schools, recruiting more educators and ending the school-to-prison pipeline. As an equity advocate, Adams-Stafford wants to rid schools of armed law enforcement, also known as school resource officers.

"With access to the nation's capital and growing technology sector I think we are perfectly positioned to be the best district in Maryland," Adams-Stafford said. "However, I am realizing there is much work to be done to truly make this district equitable for all students."

To learn more about Adams-Stafford and her work with nonprofits, click this link. More background on Swann is posted here.

District 5

The race in the fifth district is uncontested. Raaheela Ahmed is campaigning for her second term in office.

Ahmed first ran for the District 5 seat in 2012 as an 18-year-old. Though Ahmed didn't win her first bid, her second go-around was more successful. Since joining the board in 2016, Ahmed has focused on creating optimal learning environments.

"The way to accomplish that is a move towards a culture of kindness, respect and professionalism," Ahmed, now 27, said. "It is not something we are known for, but the best school districts are the ones that establish this kind of culture, from top down."

Read more Ahmed's full profile here.

District 7

The seventh district will send a fresh face to the board, as current member K. Alexander Wallace does not seek re-election. That opens the door for a race between Alexis Nicole Branch and Kenneth F. Harris II.

Branch, 22, is a master's student at Bowie State University. Last year, Branch graduated from Bennett College where she served on the school's Board of Trustees. Branch says her teaching experience and time as a trustee make her a quality pick for the Board of Education.

The candidate also advocates for a safe reopening of schools after coronavirus. Branch values student safety over a return to the familiar.

"Too many lives have been lost," Branch said. "Our children should not be the lab rats to see if its safe to get back to 'normal.'"

Harris also touts a long résumé. His campaign website says he has worked with NASA since he was 16, boasting involvement in the launches of five satellites.

On top of his scientific successes, Harris has made a name for himself as a keynote speaker. He is most known for his TEDx Talk on mentoring and networking.

If elected, Harris hopes to lead the way in school construction and renovation. He also wants to increase access to Pre-K, lower class sizes and raise teacher pay.

Click this link to read more about Harris. More information about Branch can be found here.

District 8

The final Board of Education race pits incumbent Edward Burroughs III against challenger Gary Lee Falls.

Burroughs has served on the board since his appointment in 2008. He was re-elected in 2010 at the age of 18, making him the youngest elected official in the state. Now 28, Burroughs is the vice-chair of the school board.

Falls accuses Burroughs of being a progressive with extreme policies. He urges Prince George's County students to reopen schools immediately.

Moreover, Falls wants to shift the discussion away from building new schools. He would rather build moral character and academic proficiency, which he says are more pressing problems.

As a Vietnam veteran and small business owner, Falls knows life can have its obstacles. That's why he wants schools to offer three free meals-per-day to all students.

Learn more about Falls' platform here. Head to this webpage for more information on Burroughs.

Judicial Branch

Prince George's County is in Circuit 7 of the Maryland Circuit Court and the Maryland Court of Appeals. Every Maryland voter is eligible to vote in the at-large race in the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.

Each candidate's name is linked to their campaign website. One judge does not have a campaign page, so Patch linked to his profile in the state's court system. Special instructions and circumstances are listed in parenthesis.

Judge in Circuit 7 of the Maryland Circuit Court (You Can Vote for up to Five Candidates):

• April T. Ademiluyi
• Wytonja Curry
• ShaRon M. Grayson Kelsey
• Jared Michael McCarthy
• Cathy H. Serrette
• Gladys Weatherspoon

Judge At-Large of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals (Voting for His Continuance in Office):

• E. Gregory Wells

County Ballot Questions

The proposals are referendums that need voters' approval to become law. If adopted, these proposals would allow Prince George's County to fund several projects by selling bonds. Residents can vote for or against the following motions.

Question 1 (Constitutional Amendment):

• "The proposed amendment authorizes the General Assembly, in enacting a balanced budget bill for fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, to increase, diminish, or add items, provided that the General Assembly may not exceed the total proposed budget as submitted by the Governor."
• (Amending Article II Section 17 and Article III Sections 14 and 52 of the Maryland Constitution)

Question 2 (Commercial Gaming Expansion Referendum):

• "Do you approve the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland to authorize sports and events betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education?"
• (Ch. 492 of the 2020 Legislative Session) Expansion of Commercial Gaming - Sports and Event Wagering

Question A (Bond Issue - Public Works and Transportation Facilities Bonds)

• "AN ACT enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding $178,150,000 to finance the design, construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, renovation, relocation, rehabilitation, or repair of, Public Works and Transportation Facilities (including roads and bridges, parking lots and maintenance facilities), including the acquisition and development of sites therefor, the architectural and engineering services incident thereto, and the acquisition and installation of necessary fixed permanent equipment therefor, as defined therein."

Question B (Bond Issue - Library Facilities Bonds):

• "AN ACT enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding $28,829,000 to finance the design, construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of Library Facilities, including the acquisition and development of sites therefore, the architectural and engineering services incident thereto, and the acquisition and installation of necessary fixed permanent equipment therefore, as defined therein."

Question C (Bond Issue - Public Safety Facilities Bonds):

• "AN ACT enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding $44,477,000 to finance the design, construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, renovation, relocation, rehabilitation, or repair of, Public Safety Facilities (including Fire Department Facilities), including the acquisition and development of sites therefor, the architectural and engineering services incident thereto, and the acquisition and installation of necessary fixed permanent equipment therefor, as defined therein."

Question D (Bond Issue - County Buildings Bonds):

• "AN ACT enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding $133,000,000 to finance the design, construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of County Buildings, including the acquisition and development of sites therefor, the architectural and engineering services incident thereto, and the acquisition and installation of necessary fixed permanent equipment therefor, as defined therein."

Question E (Bond Issue - Community College Facilities Bonds):

• "AN ACT enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding $121,714,000 to finance the design, construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of Community College Facilities, including the acquisition and development of sites therefor, the architectural and engineering services incident thereto, and the acquisition and installation of necessary fixed permanent equipment therefor; as defined therein."

RELATED:

• MD Has 8 Congressional Seats Up For Grabs: Meet The Candidates
• Prince George's Voter Guide 2020: Candidates, How To Vote, Dates
• 5 Seats Up For Election On Board of Education: Candidate Profiles

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