Ballot Shortage: Laurel Polling Line Stalls for Hours

Voters at the Robert J. DiPietro Community Center in Laurel spent up to three hours in line on Tuesday after the site ran out of paper ballots. The delay forced some residents to leave without casting a vote, while others waited until the afternoon to finally cast their ballots.

Bonnie Sermons, a volunteer election monitor with Common Cause, arrived shortly before 1 p.m. and found the polling place operating with only one electronic machine. She noted that the location typically utilizes two or three devices. Upon arrival, she spoke with a voter who had been standing in line since 9:30 a.m.

The wait created physical strain for some in the queue. Election monitors ordered pizza and water for the crowd, which arrived shortly after one woman fainted. Officials later replenished the paper ballots at the site, though they did not specify the cause of the initial shortage.

Jared DeMarinis, Maryland’s top election official, acknowledged the paper ballot issues in Prince George’s County. He said the state was working with the local board of elections to deploy supplies and additional equipment to affected locations. DeMarinis said he did not have a firm count of the number of impacted sites and was not ready to diagnose the specific error.

“Diagnoses are great for post-election,” DeMarinis said. “Right now, the biggest thing is making sure voters are voting. It’s a robust turnout, and that’s the focus.”

Problems extended beyond Laurel. Wendy Honesty-Bey, the Prince George’s County Board of Elections administrator, told The Banner that Brandywine Elementary School lacked correct ballots on Tuesday morning. That issue was corrected later in the day, and the location also experienced a voter backup.

Miya White waited more than three hours at the Laurel site before casting her ballot. She said she stayed in line because voting was a priority and her manager allowed her to be late, though she missed a flight to Boston. “It is hectic,” White said. “The people are trying their best to be patient, but there is only one scanner.” Amelia Sullivan, a local resident, said she remained determined to vote despite the delay. “Something has to change,” Sullivan said. “I want my voice to be heard. I have the ability to vote, and I want to make sure I vote.”