Police departments statewide called in extra forces this morning in preparation for an anticipated record turnout of voters.
Baltimore City police canceled leave for the entire force, so all officers are available to help with potential problems at polls. Officers also have been detailed to polling stations throughout the city.
“Everyone’s on duty,” said Sterling Clifford, city police spokesman.
“We do not have a history of problems in or around polling places. We do not expect problems this year.”
Eighty to 85 percent of registered voters are expected to hit the polls, compared with the 78 percent turnout in the 2004 election, said Ross Goldstein, deputy administrator of the Maryland State Board of Elections.
“We have a lot of different strategies in place to keep up with volume this year,” he said.
To meet the demand, the board increased the number of voting machines deployed to 18,000 and required local boards to have a backup plan with spare machines in case of emergencies, he said.
In Anne Arundel, school resource officers will help monitor polling locations at county schools without forcing the department to bar any officers from taking leave, said Sgt. John Gilmer, Anne Arundel police spokesman.
All schools are closed on Election Day.
Additional Annapolis police officers will handle traffic congestion and parking problems at polling sites.
Police in Howard and Baltimore counties also have called in extra patrols, which is standard procedure for Election Day.
“We are prepared if there are any issues at polling places,” said Baltimore County police spokesman Cpl. Mike Hill.
The American Civil Liberties Union is stationing teams in every county to assist voters who experience problems at various polling sites.
ACLU lawyers also are prepared to investigate any issues and go to court if necessary.
Anyone who experiences problems may call the ACLU hot line at 1-888-496-ACLU.
“I don’t think there’s anything that can suppress the vote this year in Baltimore,” Clifford said.
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