HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A steady stream of citizens flowed through the polls on Election Day in Howard County, where 59,054 residents cast their ballots during early voting, marking the highest turnout of any jurisdiction in Maryland.

"Voting is a right. I am a citizen. I have to do it," Sagaraika Pattnaik of Columbia told Patch after voting at Long Reach High School. "Everyone should vote — especially because the candidates are controversial," said her husband, Radhak Pattnaik.

Most controversial was the Presidential election, where Howard County voters overwhelmingly supported the Democratic ticket, but also contentious was the local school board race. Voters have apparently unseated the only incumbent Howard County Board of Education member running — Janet Siddiqui — based on unofficial election results.

Polls closed at 8 p.m., and as of 11:45 p.m., there were 121 of 124 precincts reporting the following: See the latest results from the Howard County Board of Elections.



Unofficial results also showed 93,808 people in Howard County voted for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Tim Kaine and 44,792 supported Republicans Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Pence.

In addition, Question A appears to have passed, according to preliminary data, meaning a fund would be established for those looking to run for elective office.

Votes will not be made official until after absentee and provisional canvasses conclude on Nov. 18. Early voting turnout: Howard County had the highest turnout of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions during early voting (Oct. 27 to Nov. 3), according to preliminary data from state officials. More than 58,000 Howard County residents cast their ballots, the state board of elections reported. That represented 28.22 percent of eligible voters in Howard County. Turnout during early voting was also high in Prince George's (26.94 percent), Kent (25.97 percent) and Harford counties (25.37 percent), state election officials said.

