Severna Park Polls Quiet on Tuesday

Nary a line could be found on Tuesday morning and afternoon at Severna Park area voting stations. However, there were friendly and welcoming election judges but few, if any, voters to talk to when I cruised around the park with a fellow Patch editor on primary election day.

Just before noon at the Severna Park Library, 57 people had voted. There were reportedly six people waiting for the doors to open at 7 a.m. After the first hour, election judges said 16 people had voted.

Election judges arrive on site before 6 a.m. and stay until the voting is over, keeping many of them there until after 9 p.m.

Chief election judges Gale Gillespie and Rose Ann Feldman stationed at the Severna Park Library started their shift at 5:30 a.m. and won't end their day until after the polls close at 8 p.m.

Early voting, especially in Severna Park, played a role in the slow day said more than one election judge. Severna Park had 2,494 early voters at the library last week, according to the Capital.

Kim Rawley voted at (SPHS) at lunchtime and said she voted for Rick Santorum.

"We need to go back to the values our founding fathers held. Less government," she said.

Rawley, a CPA, said that President Obama's health care reform will be a "nightmare tax wise" for those in certain upper income brackets.

Outside at SPHS, Johnny Murphy of Linthicum set up a camper early on Tuesday with an awning on the outskirts of the gymnasium parking lot.

"Vote the bums out ... they've been negligent in running the country. Our only chance is a clean sweep—send a message," he said.

Polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Here's of locations in the Severna Park area.