HAGERSTOWN , MD. - Maryland polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and in Washington County, the Board of Elections are preparing and equipping the more than 50 precincts. They've been working for months to prepare for Election Day. Officials say traditionally they see a 20-percent voter turnout, but are hoping to exceed 60-percent Tuesday.
"We go to so much work, and we go through the same amount of work if one person shows up or if everybody shows up," says Kaye Robucci, Election Director at the Washington County Board of Elections.
The electronic pollbooks are making their way to the more than 50 precincts around Washington County and election officials hope they will get a good workout more than past years.
"Traditionally, the Primary does not bring out more than 20-percent of the local. Hopefully, we will get at least 20-percent," says John Benchoff, President of the Washington County Board of Elections.
Election officials say it's just as necessary to vote in the local races like City Council and Mayoral. They say those candidates' decisions affect us more directly and quickly.
"'I don't need to vote. Seems like it is gonna be decided anyway without my vote.' Well, you do need to vote. You do need to get out there. You do need to be involved in the political realm," says Benchoff.
"That's who is making the decisions right here that affects us who live here, and so that's even more important to go out and cast your vote for all the local offices as well," says Robucci.
Officials say this year was their first experience with early voting during a presidential race and it was a positive one. They nearly doubled voter turnout compared to 2010, a promising sign of what's to come, they say.
"We're ready for it. We're prepared. We're prepared. We would like to see 50, 60, 70-percent, but who knows. Hopefully, it will be good," says Benchoff.
Polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Find out where you can vote by clicking here.
"We go to so much work, and we go through the same amount of work if one person shows up or if everybody shows up," says Kaye Robucci, Election Director at the Washington County Board of Elections.
The electronic pollbooks are making their way to the more than 50 precincts around Washington County and election officials hope they will get a good workout more than past years.
"Traditionally, the Primary does not bring out more than 20-percent of the local. Hopefully, we will get at least 20-percent," says John Benchoff, President of the Washington County Board of Elections.
Election officials say it's just as necessary to vote in the local races like City Council and Mayoral. They say those candidates' decisions affect us more directly and quickly.
"'I don't need to vote. Seems like it is gonna be decided anyway without my vote.' Well, you do need to vote. You do need to get out there. You do need to be involved in the political realm," says Benchoff.
"That's who is making the decisions right here that affects us who live here, and so that's even more important to go out and cast your vote for all the local offices as well," says Robucci.
Officials say this year was their first experience with early voting during a presidential race and it was a positive one. They nearly doubled voter turnout compared to 2010, a promising sign of what's to come, they say.
"We're ready for it. We're prepared. We're prepared. We would like to see 50, 60, 70-percent, but who knows. Hopefully, it will be good," says Benchoff.
Polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Find out where you can vote by clicking here.
