Polling locations across the Laurel area saw a surge of evening voters Tuesday as polls prepared to close in Maryland’s primary election and candidates made their final appeals to constituents.

While election judges blamed slow morning turnout on heavy rain throughout the region, clear skies in the afternoon brought a steady increase in voters at polling locations across Prince George’s, Howard and Anne Arundel counties.

Voters across the Laurel area were casting ballots in races that will determine who advances to the general election and help shape local policy on issues including education, public safety, development and transportation.

Kelly Grace, chief polling judge at James H. Harrison Elementary School in Laurel, said voter turnout surged from about 100 voters earlier in the day to more than 200 shortly after 5 p.m.

“I think [voters are] coming in deliberately,” she said. “It’s been quite busy.”

Election turnout continued to increase throughout the afternoon at Forest Ridge Elementary School in North Laurel as voters arrived after work. Some voters said issues, rather than candidates, were driving them to the polls.

Donald Coleman, a resident of High Ridge, described himself as pro-life and said he wanted to make his voice heard while acknowledging that few candidates shared his views. Coleman said he believes many voters have become frustrated with politics and choose not to participate.

“I don’t want to be at that level of frustration,” Coleman said. “I’m not really completely satisfied with how things are going, locally or nationally, but I want to continue to be engaged somewhat.”

Vincent Velasquez of North Laurel said he had been encouraged to vote by friends and by campaign literature he had seen around town. He said his primary concerns were government corruption, civil rights and LGBTQ rights. Velasquez said he supported Eric Felber’s challenge to incumbent Gov. Wes Moore.

“Wes Moore, I think, has been good,” Velasquez said, “but doing additional research proved that I should maybe [look] elsewhere for my vote.”

He said Felber’s policy platform, including support for women’s rights, raising the minimum wage and opposition to data centers, helped sway his vote.

As voters made their final push to the polls, candidates and campaign volunteers stood outside polling locations handing out literature and sample ballots.

All three Prince George’s County Council District 1 candidates spent part of the evening outside the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center speaking with voters before they cast ballots.

“Whatever happens, it’s going to be a new chapter for District 1,” said Michelle García, a candidate for the District 1 County Council seat, as she and her team greeted voters outside the senior center.

County Council candidate Martin Mitchell urged voters to remain engaged while speaking with constituents outside the polling location.

“No matter the outcome, do not be discouraged,” he said, adding that his 15-month campaign had left him exhausted. “This has been a long hard road.”

Candidate Darwin Romero said he spent the day zigzagging across the community, talking with voters and campaigning outside polling locations.

If he wins, he said, there will be a prize waiting for him at home.

“I’m probably going to eat my Bundt cake that I have at home if everything goes in my favor,” he said with a laugh.

Still, while turnout increased as 8 p.m. approached, some officials said participation remained lower than in previous election cycles.

“If the most important race you got is [the] county council [race], you’re not going to attract a lot of attention,” said Prince George’s County Council member Tom Dernoga, D-District 1, as he campaigned for García outside James H. Harrison Elementary School.

Some voters said they still preferred casting ballots on Election Day rather than voting early or by mail and viewed it as a civic duty.

Denise Osborne of Laurel brought her 9-year-old son with her to vote at Laurel High School so he could observe the process.

“I wanted him to see the processes, see the ballot, and see how that process takes place,” Osborne said.