Republicans Drop, Unaffiliated Voters Gain in Frederick County

Illustration | Melanie Douez
Data comes from the Maryland State Board of Elections.

George Wenschhof

Voter party affiliation in Frederick County, Maryland, has shifted over the last 16 years, with Republicans showing the smallest gain. Out of 56,807 registered voters over the last 16 years, Republicans received (12,981-22.8 percent), Democrats (21,059-37.1 percent), and unaffiliated voters (21,193-37.3 percent).

Frederick County voter registration numbers as of end of September 2018 show Democratic registration is within 2,695 voters of Republicans. Sixteen years ago, Republicans had a 10,773 voter registration advantage over Democrats heading into the 2002 gubernatorial election.

Voters who decline to affiliate with a political party are the fastest growing number of voters in Frederick County and follow a trend that extends across the country. Unaffiliated voters in Frederick County have more than doubled in size from 16 years ago, increasing from 18,718 to 39,911 today.

Out of 174,636 total registered voters today, Republicans make up (67,637-38.7 percent), Democrats (64,942-37.2 percent) and unaffiliated voters (39,911-22.8 percent). Libertarian, Green and Other make up less than 2 percent of the registered voters.

Sixteen years ago, out of 117,829 registered voters, Republicans made up (54,656-46.3 percent), Democrats (43,883-37.2 percent) and unaffiliated voters (18,718-15.8 percent).

Maryland is a closed primary election, which means unaffiliated voters cannot vote in the primary election when voters of political parties determine their candidates who will appear in the general election. Unaffiliated voters can participate in nonpartisan primary elections such as the Board of Education race in Frederick County.

Deborah Carter, chair of the Frederick County state Democratic Central Committee, reflected on how Democrats have narrowed the gap with Republicans. “These things do tend to go in cycles,” she said. “Once upon a time, Frederick County Democrats outnumbered the Republicans, and it looks like it’s on track to happen again. However, the party is also evolving. Many old-school Democrats were what we now call ‘Dixiecrats,’ while today’s Dems are younger, smarter and more  progressive than ever before. We’re not only gaining on the Republicans in registrations. Democrats also saw much higher turnout in the primary than the Republicans did, and absentee ballot requests are almost two-to-one Dem. What this says to me is that Dems are more active, more energized and more excited about our candidates.”

Hoda Zaki, Virginia E. Lewis professor of political science at Hood College, noted, “The rise in unaffiliated voters is a sign that voters do not want to commit to one party, but wish to leave the door open to changing their vote depending on the particular election. This fluidity in political identification is related to the changes in both parties’ platforms. As political parties change and shift, voters respond in similar ways. Political parties and voters both are responding to very real challenges in the national and global economy.

“I’m not sure how to explain the drop in Republican voters, unless it can be explained by looking at the age and demographics of voters moving to Frederick County in recent years,” she added.

The chair and vice chair of the Frederick County Republican Central Committee did not respond to a request for comment before publication deadline.

If unaffiliated voters turn out, they will certainly have an impact on many local elections.

An unaffiliated candidate has never won a countywide election in Frederick County. However, two unaffiliated candidates are running in this election. The county executive race features three candidates for the first time: Kathy Afzali (R), Jan Gardner (D) and Earl Robbins (U). Also, the at-large (countywide) County Council race where voters elect two council members has five candidates: Susan Reeder Jessee (D), Kai Hagen (D), Phil Dacey (R), Danny Farrar (R) and Bud Otis (U).

Frederick County Elections Supervisor Stuart Harvey said, “Based on the turnout in the primary election and the increase in voter registration, I expect voter turnout to exceed 60 percent in the General Election Nov. 6, 2018.”

Early voting runs from Oct. 25 through Nov. 1. The General Election is Nov. 6.

Blaine Young Guest on "All Things Political with George Wenschhof"

George Wenschhof

Originally published 8-2-2010

Blaine Young is one of twelve Republicans who are running for Frederick County, Maryland Commissioner. The results from the September 14 primary will determine the five Republican candidates who will move on to the General Election on November 2 and face five Democratic Party candidates.

Mr. Young is a short term incumbent, having been appointed to replace Republican Charles Jenkins, who was himself appointed to replace Maryland state delegate Rick Weldon (district 3-b) when he stepped down to take a position with the City of Frederick.

When you watch the show, you will see why Blaine will be one of the twelve Republicans to move on to the General Election.

My conversation with Blaine covered in length his political, business and family background. He was at ease with the interview, perhaps due to his own experience in hosting a daily radio talk show.

We spoke of his time spent as a Democrat and serving as chair of the local central committee. He also served as chair during the 1997 City of Frederick election in which he ran and was elected Alderman.

Some controversy erupted at that time as he favored the Republican incumbent mayor James Grimes over the Democratic Party candidate Fran Baker. I pointed out Ms. Baker had switched her party affiliation to Democratic to avoid a primary battle with Mr. Grimes.

In addition, we talked briefly about him being named in the "Black Book" scandal which involved the arrest of a Madam and subsequent legal proceedings pertaining to release of a "client list".

After his marriage, he moved outside of the limits of the City of Frederick and switched his political party affiliation to Republican.

Since that time, he became a partner in a local taxi business and has hosted a popular radio show.

We spoke of some of the issues likely to be on voters minds. Such as reducing the budget, disposal of trash, a move to Charter Government, the recent down zoning by the current Board of Commissioners and the overall issue of growth.

At one point he became animated when I challenged him saying this was the first time Frederick County Commissioners had discussion in executive sessions about the budget with heads of Departments. Fellow County commissioner John Thompson had refused to take part in those discussions.

Young may be correct in his assertion, but it has been done elsewhere according to Commission President Jan Gardner. I can see the reason for doing so in the early stages of discussion of the budget as personnel discussions are talking place which may or may not be part of what is presented.

When you watch the show, you will see Blaine Young came across as knowledgeable and straight forward in our conversation. I will be following his campaign closely as I go through a thorough process in determining who I will support.


---

To receive "Daily Email Updates", click on "Subscribe to this feed" below or use the sign up box located in the upper right hand corner.

Bill Hall Switches Back to Democrat, May Run for City of Frederick, MD Alderman

George Wenschhof Bio

A source who is close to Bill Hall informed me Mr. Hall filed paperwork on Tuesday to change his party affiliation to Democrat. Many recall the popular Bill Hall as a two term Alderman for the City of Frederick. His brother Jim Hall is a member of the Frederick County State Democratic Central Committee.

He was elected in 1997 as a Democrat and served under Mayor James Grimes (R) and in 2001 he was reelected, receiving the most votes of any Alderman. If memory serves, he also received more votes than the elected first term Mayor, Jennifer Dougherty (D).

His relationship with Democrat Mayor Dougherty deteriorated rapidly after the election in 2001. One of the early disappointments was when Hall was not appointed as Liaison to the City Planning Commission by Mayor Dougherty. The constant squabbling with Mayor Dougherty led him to switch political affiliation to the Republican party. City of Frederick voters remember many of the contentious Mayor and Board meetings which typically involved Republican Aldermen David Lenhart and Bill Hall who disagreed often with Democratic Mayor Jennifer Dougherty.

Mr. Hall choose not to run for reelection in 2005 and Ms. Dougherty was defeated in the Democratic primary by former four term Mayor Ron Young. In the general election, Ron Young lost to current Republican Mayor Jeff Holtzinger. After a unsuccessful run for Congress in Maryland's sixth district last year, Ms. Dougherty is seriously considering running for Mayor of the City of Frederick this year and will soon announce her decision.

The word is Mr. Hall who indicated to my source, was always more comfortable as a Democrat, will file to run for Aldermen. He is well liked by city voters from both sides of the political aisle and would immediately be a favorite to be elected as Alderman. The City of Frederick elects five Aldermen whose role is similar to members of a city council.

Stay Tuned...

--------------------

To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.