Be an informed voter on Election Day, Nov. 8

By Joe Murchison

This fall, Laurel and College Park voters will help elect a new governor for the first time in eight years — possibly the state’s first African American governor — and will help decide whether recreational marijuana use is legalized. 

There are numerous other federal, state and county races on the ballot, although an unusual number of candidates are unopposed. 

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 18. To register, order a mail-in ballot or verify your polling place, go to  princegeorgescountymd.gov/559/Board-of-Eections.

Early voting runs from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, 7120 Contee Road and at the College Park Community Center, 5051 Pierce Avenue. There also is a drop-off box at that location for mail-in ballots.

General Election Day is Nov. 8. Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

The following information is taken from candidates’ websites:

Governor-Lt. Governor

Republican Dan Cox is a lawyer and state delegate. He pledges to end vaccine and mask mandates, stop race and transgender indoctrination in schools, support police, lower taxes and ensure election security.  His running mate is Gordana Schifanelli.

Democrat Wes Moore is an Army veteran, author and national nonprofit executive. He pledges to work for world-class public schools, increase health-care access, advocate for equity and social justice, develop clean energy and protect reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights. His running mate is Aruna Miller.

Comptroller

Republican Barry Glassman is a former Harford County executive and state senator. He touts his governmental experience and pledges efficiency and opposition to new taxes.

Democrat Brooke Lierman is a civil and disability rights attorney and state delegate. She vows to lend support to small businesses, save money on state procurements, address the state’s racial wealth gap and protect the state employees’ pension system.

General Attorney

Democrat Anthony Brown is a congressman and former lieutenant governor. He pledges to expand voter access, legalize cannabis, protect reproductive rights  and limit gun violence.

Republican Michael Peroutka is a lawyer and former Anne Arundel County councilman. He pledges to prosecute public officials who illegally limit citizens’ freedoms, protect gun rights, oppose abortion, restore election integrity and fight illegal immigration.

U.S. Senator

Republican Chris Chaffee is the owner of a building and contracting business. He pledges to work for smaller and more efficient government, strengthen the military and defeat ISIS, cut off the entry of refugees pending better vetting, protect gun rights, eliminate the Affordable Care Act and get government out of education.

Democrat Chris Van Hollen is an attorney and incumbent U.S. senator who previously served in the Maryland General Assembly and U.S. House of Representatives. His priorities include improving the state’s infrastructure, protecting the Chesapeake Bay, improving schools, preventing gun violence, increasing access to health care and making the economy more inclusive. 

Congress – District 4  

Democrat Glenn Ivey is an attorney, former congressional staffer and former Prince George’s County state’s attorney. He pledges to work for well-paying jobs, a more equitable economy, access to affordable health care, and housing and criminal justice reform.

Republican Jeff Warner is a church pastor. He pledges to work for lower inflation and lower taxes, job growth, crime reduction, school choice and renewing the nation’s spiritual heritage. 

State Senate – District 21

Republican Lee Havis is a former college professor and founder and director of the International Montessori Society. He vows to assure election integrity, promote school choice, reduce regulation, combat illegal immigration, support strict enforcement of laws and increase freedom to choose health care.

Democrat Jim Rosapepe is incumbent state senator and former U.S. ambassador to Romania. His priorities include working for better schools, more affordable college, safer streets and more jobs in the community.

Unopposed

The following candidates are unopposed:

State House of Delegates – District 21

Ben Barnes

Mary Lehman

Joseline Peña-Melnyk

Prince George’s County Executive

Angela Alsobrooks

Prince George’s County Council – At Large

(Elect two)

Mel Franklin

Calvin Hawkins

Prince George’s County Council – Dist. 1

Tom Dernoga

Circuit Court Judge – Circuit 7

Carol Ann Coderre

Judges, Court of Special Appeals At Large

(Elect two)

Stuart Berger

Terrence Zic

State’s Attorney

Aisha Braveboy

Clerk of Circuit Court

Mahasin El Amin

Register of Wills

Cereta Lee

Judge of Orphans’ Court

(Elect three)

Wendy Alise Cartwright

Jason DeLoach

Athena Malloy Groves

Sheriff

John Carr