A Ward 3 candidate denies allegations that she offered to drop off and pick up absentee ballots for Glenarden residents and a hearing has been scheduled for next week to investigate election complaints which, if verified, could change the results of the mayoral race and land the candidate in trouble with state law.
The meeting will be held 5 p.m. May 18 before the city’s Board of Elections Chairwoman Geraldine Langford to discuss issues such as a note on Ward 3 candidate Judy Diggs’ website that states residents can do “early voting” from April 8 to April 29. The city never established an early voting date separate from the May 2 election day.
The city’s Board of Elections held a closed meeting Monday night with City Attorney Suellen Ferguson prior to the regular City Council meeting to discuss the complaints before scheduling the May 18 meeting.
On April 29, prior to the election, Ward 3 incumbent Jennifer Jenkins filed a complaint with Langford stating residents told her that Diggs offered to drop off and pick up absentee ballots for them. Diggs eventually lost to Jenkins by a count of 116 votes to 51. The night of election day, May 2, mayoral candidate Donjuan Williams, Ward 1 candidate Marsha Peeks, Ward 2 candidate Elaine Carter and Jenkins filed a complaint challenging the validity of the absentee ballots.
Full Article: Glenarden absentee ballot complaints spur hearing.