Absentee Ballots

Del. Richard B. Weldon, R-Washington/Frederick, appeared Tuesday night to be on his way to a second term in the Maryland House of Delegates. With all Frederick County and Washington County's precincts in legislative subdistrict 3B reporting, Weldon led Democratic challenger Paul Gilligan 9,278 votes to 5,793 votes. Weldon, 48, of Brunswick, was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2002 and serves on the House Health and Government Operations Committee. Gilligan, 60, is a former mayor of Burkittsville and a retired commissioned officer of the U.S. Public Health Service.

By LAURA ERNDE / Staff Writer photo: JOE CROCETTA / staff photographer The third time was the charm for Independent Bert L. Iseminger Jr., who held onto his lead for Washington County Commissioner after absentee ballots were counted Thursday. "I'm glad it's over. I can't tell you. I'm about ready to fall over," said Iseminger. --cont. from front page -- It was the third time Iseminger has run for an election in which he had to wait for absentee ballots to be sure of the outcome.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - For LeRoy E. Myers Jr., victory apparently came more quickly this year. Four years ago, Myers, a Republican, had to wait three weeks - through a recount - before finding out he had beaten Democrat Casper R. Taylor Jr., Maryland's House speaker at the time. On Tuesday, Myers defeated Democrat Brian K. Grim 5,892 to 4,356 according to complete but unofficial Subdistrict 1C results from Washington and Allegany counties. Although Grim edged Myers in Allegany County's 15 precincts, Myers won three of every four votes in Washington County's four precincts.

gregs@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - A vote verification procedure Wednesday all but sealed Richard F. Trump's Republican nomination to run for mayor of Hagerstown in the May general election, but the outcome of the council races remained uncertain. A Wednesday recount of votes cast in Tuesday's City of Hagerstown primary election did not change the vote count, said Dorothy Kaetzel, director of the Washington County Board of Elections. After the recount, Trump, a political newcomer, retained a 70-vote lead over former Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II. Kaetzel said Trump's nomination will be official after the results are certified today, which is expected to be done after the absentee ballots are counted.

In a tight three-way race, Washington State's Attorney Charles P. Strong Jr. was leading with 50 of 50 precincts reporting Tuesday and likely will face Democrat Jerry Joyce in the race to retain his seat. According to complete but unofficial results late Tuesday, Strong was leading two Republican challengers, Gordon A. Lynn, 48, of 13316 Fairfax Road in Hagerstown, and Gregory C. Bannon, 53, of 8331 Old National Pike in Boonsboro, in the primary election. Bannon was trailing by 473 votes after all 50 precincts had been counted.

If you're planning to cast a vote for president this year but haven't yet registered, you're running out of time. The deadline to register for the Nov. 2 general election is Oct. 12 at 9 p.m., according to the state Elections Board. Voter registration applications are available from most government agencies, including Motor Vehicle Administration offices, Offices on Aging, post offices, marriage license bureaus, social services offices, public libraries, public institutions of higher education and state and county Board of Elections offices.

HAGERSTOWN -- The results of the City of Hagerstown's primary election will be certified today after election workers finish counting about 100 absentee ballots, said Dorothy Kaetzel, director of the Washington County Board of Elections. Kaetzel said election workers will split into two teams at about 10 a.m. and count the ballots by hand. The results should be certified this afternoon, she said. Fifty-three of the 61 Democratic absentee ballots that were issued have been returned, as have 48 of the 55 Republican absentee ballots, city election official Eve McGrory said Tuesday.

With canvassing of more than 600 city absentee ballots starting Thursday, the fifth and final seat on the Hagerstown City Council hangs in the balance between two incumbent councilmen. Both Democrats, Martin Brubaker led William Breichner by an 188-vote margin Tuesday night with all 18 Election Day precincts and early voting results tabulated, leaving a chance that Breichner could amass enough votes to potentially reach Brubaker. A total of 730 absentee ballots were issued to city voters and 601 had been returned as of Wednesday, according to Washington Co. Elections Board Director Kaye Robucci.

CLEAR SPRING -- The Town of Clear Spring will hold a runoff to settle a tie in Monday's election for Town Council. Town Clerk Juanita Grimm said the runoff will be Dec. 1 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Absentee ballots must be requested by Nov. 13, she said. During Monday's election, candidates Walter D. Irvin Jr. and Pamela M. Sasser each received 23 votes. Irvin and Sasser are running for a seat that will be vacated in January by Councilman Stewart Brennan. Brennan, 88, said in September that he would not seek re-election because of his age.

Campaign notes Absentee ballots due Tuesday Unless mailed, absentee ballots for the Tuesday Hagerstown primary election are due at the Washington County Election Board office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, said Election Director Dorothy Kaetzel. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than Monday and arrive at the Election Board by Wednesday. Absentee ballots received after Wednesday will not be counted, Kaetzel said. For more information visit the Election Board office at 33 W. Washington St. Room 200, or call the board office at 301-791-3030.