Recapping Election Day 2012 in Severna Park

In the excitement that comes with Election Day, it can be easy to miss some information.

Whether you were standing in long lines at the polls, or engrossed in coverage of the presidential race—some local news may have been lost in the Election Day chaos.

Here’s a recap of Election Day in Severna Park including who won, what voters had to say on the issues and how it went out at the polls. To read more information on any issue, click on the link.

Results on a local level:

Edwards Defeats Loudon for Maryland's 4th District

• Incumbent Rep. Donna Edwards won 75 percent of the vote against Faith Loudon, a Pasadena Republican. Loudon did take Anne Arundel County, but the majority of the 4th District lies in Prince George's County.

Cardin Wins Maryland Senate Race

• Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin won re-election to the U.S. Senate, defeating Republican and Severna Park resident Dan Bongino and independent Rob Sobhani. Cardin received 53 percent of the vote, while Bongino had 28 percent and Sobhani had 17 percent just before midnight on Tuesday.

Voters Set to Approve All Anne Arundel County Charter Amendments

• Anne Arundel County voters are set to approve all 15 county charter amendments—some with as much as 91 percent approval.

Referendum Questions:

• Maryland voters approved same-sex marriage (Question 6), the DREAM Act (Question 4), expanded gambling (Question 7) and congressional redistricting (Question 5).

Out at the polls on Tuesday, a few local voters weighed in on Questions 6 and 7. You can read what they had to say here.

Presidential Race:

• President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were re-elected Tuesday night, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney and his vice-presidential running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan.

You can see what one Severna Park man had to say about the race for the White House here.

Lines at the polls

The lines at polling places on Tuesday were some of the longest area residents have ever seen. Average wait time at most places was around an hour.

Dale Rodriguez, a former election judge, voted at Severna Park Elementary School Tuesday morning.

“The whole thing took a little over an hour,” Rodriguez said. “I used to be a chief judge and I have never seen the lines this long. I couldn’t find a place to park—but that’s a good problem—people are out voting.”

However, the long lines didn't deter one 64-year-old woman who voted for the first time.

“I just think it is important now,” Bonnie Counselman said. “There are a lot more issues that pertain to me like health care and social security. And really just the whole job situation has really affected me.”

To read more about how Election Day went at the polls, see the following articles:

• Voters Weigh in on Referendum Questions

Finally, see what state delegate and Severna Park native Cathy Vitale (R-District 33A) had to say on Election Day by clicking here.

What is your reaction to Election Day? Tell us in the comments.

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