Primary Turnout Is Slow in Downtown Silver Spring

In Downtown Silver Spring, the polls were running on time for Tuesday's primary elections, despite a minor glitch in the poll books and voting machines at one polling station.

Some Silver Spring residents showed up to the polling station at the Science Center of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration building as early as 6:45 a.m. to cast their ballots.

The glitch in the machines at the NOAA building lasted for a short while and was fixed quickly, a poll worker said.

Polling volunteers said this election has been easier on voters.

"This election has fewer people so far, compared to the last election, which was presidential. People stood in line for up to three hours then to cast their votes," said Joan King, Democratic precinct chair.

In 2008, the line wrapped around the building and along the sidewalk on East-West Highway, King said.

The shorter lines Tuesday morning were allowing voters to get in and out quickly.

"Everything went smoothly, and it was organized," said Silver Spring resident Colleen Monaghan.

The low turnout so far is to be expected with a primary, King said.

"But it's still early in the day," she added.