George Wenschhof
While there are some provisional and mail in
ballots to be counted, the outcome of The City of Frederick primary election is
pretty well set. Incumbent Democratic
mayor Michael O’Connor (2,221) beat challengers Jennifer Dougherty (1,499),
Roger Wilson (1,078) and John Funderburk (280) and will move on to the November
2 general election and likely face Republican Steven Hammrick.
Hammrick is leading Steve Garrahy by 103
votes but with only 857 Republican ballots cast and counted so far it is
unlikely Garrahy will be able to make up the difference from the remaining ballots
counted on Monday September 20. The city
will certify the primary election on Tuesday September 21.
Jennifer Dougherty, a perennial candidate,
first ran for mayor in 1993. She won in 2001 and lost her mayoral contests
since then. Adding to her political
defeats was a run for county commissioner and state senate. She attacked O’Connor for lack of leadership
and called for aldermen elected by precincts.
Incumbent alderman Roger Wilson, who faced allegations of misconduct
by multiple women and a call to resign by the Frederick County State Democratic
Central Committee, failed to articulate his vision for the city and although he
was the top fundraiser among Democratic mayoral candidates, came in a distant
third.
In the Democratic primary where five alderman
advance to the general election, the winners were Katie Nash (3,636) and
incumbents Derek Shackelfor (3,356), Donna Kuzemchak (3,289), Kelly Russell (3,263)
and Ben MacShane (2,886).
The one surprise in the Democratic alderman
primary is newcomer Katie Nash, who lost in her previous run for alderman as Republican
candidate. She is poised to join former
alderman Meta Nash (no relation) and current alderman Kelly Russell who were also Republicans
who changed political parties to Democratic.
Katie Nash also led in fundraising among alderman candidates.
Democratic alderman candidates Chris Sparks
(1,803) and Robert Van Rens (1,498) fell short in their first run for city
office.
Only two Republicans, Robert Fischer and
Michelle Shay ran for alderman and will move on to the general election.
Voter turnout continued to be low in the off
year city election. Mail-in balloting
was used for the first time along with in-person early voting and one in person
voting poll open on election day.
The total voter turnout for this primary, to
be adjusted after Monday totals are added, was 16.7%. This compares to 13.7% in 2017 primary,
15.84% in 2013 primary and 17.98% in 2009 primary.
A bright note was Democratic voter turnout
increased from 14.38% in 2017 primary to 20.6% in this primary. Advocates for mail-in balloting will
highlight this increase.
Although, I am an advocate for mail-in
balloting, voter turnout continues to be very low for the city primary and
general elections.
The general election voter turnout was in
2009 – 23.75%, 2013 - 23.53% and 2017 – 21.58%.
In a city with a population of 78,000, steps
should be taken to increase voter turnout. Several thousand voters should not
determine city elected officials. I have
long advocated moving the city election cycle to the presidential election
cycle. Not only would this change more
than double voter turnout, it would save the city money. I have also long called for alderman elected
by precincts.
I remain hopeful mail-in balloting will
increase voter turnout in the November 2, 2021 general election. Mail-in balloting is easy with Drop Box
options. With the Delta variant of covid-19 continuing to be a health threat,
mail-in balloting is also a healthy alternative to in-person balloting.
Nonetheless, I urge the incoming mayor and
board to appoint a committee to consider additional options to mail-in balloting
that will increase voter turnout in future elections.
