Baltimore City Elections: 2 Different Write-in Campaigns, Both Down // D7 Incumbent Trounced, D13 Challenger Trailing

UPDATE: Unofficial results from 10:55 pm (290 out of 290 precincts reporting). No change to the Sneed-Branch race in D13, but in D7 challenger Nick Mosby is ending way ahead of ejected incumbent Belinda Conaway -- 2,936 votes to her 626.

Turnout for today's Baltimore City election was expected to be low -- and early reports verified that prediction. But Maryland Juice earlier noted that low turnout might provide write-in candidates their best chance at success. This is noteworthy since B'more voters had two interesting write-in campaigns within their city today: District 7 City Councilmember Belinda Conaway launched a write-in campaign after losing the Democratic Primary to challenger Nick Mosby; District 13, challenger Shannon Sneed launched a write-in campaign after coming 43 votes short in the Democratic Primary against incumbent Warren Branch.

Unfortunately for both write-in candidates, every single Democratic Primary victor is currently leading in the General Election, according to returns trickling out of the Board of Elections website (current as of 10:24 pm).

WARNING: Beltway Speed Cameras Begin Ticketing TODAY // Why That Stinks

UPDATE: We just noticed that it appears College Park is (not so ironically) using its speed camera revenues to install surveillance cameras in the city! At least we know our officials are clever -- they can leverage one "big brother" project for another. Will College Park end up like London?

Editor's Note: Former Del. Saqib Ali writes in the comments, "I introduced a bill entitled the 'Speed Camera Fairness Act' a few years ago that would remove the conflict of interest that I considered inherent in Montgomery County Police Department's contract. However, the bill garnered very little traction." I notice that the bill's Senate Sponsor, Mike Lenett, is also no longer in office. Hopefully, that doesn't end the chances for accountability with our speed camera practices.

WARNING TO AREA DRIVERS: Starting today, Maryland will begin photo enforcement on the Beltway. Fox 5 reported yesterday (the last day warning tickets were being issued):

We found one of the mobile, car-mounted cameras on the outer loop near New Hampshire Avenue flashing away on this last day drivers are getting just warnings - not the 40 dollar fine.

The new beltway speed cameras are only in construction zones. One is where a bridge deck rebuilding project has started over the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River. The second beltway construction zone is a five mile repaving project on the inner loop through Prince George's county.