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).

Shannon Sneed Plans Write-In Campaign for Baltimore City Council District 13

UPDATE: Baltimore Brew covers the Sneed write-in campaign, along with two others -- Conaway in D7 and Van Bavel in D10.

Two weeks ago, Maryland Juice wrote about the 15-vote margin in the Baltimore City Council District 13 race. The battle between incumbent Warren Branch and newcomer Shannon Sneed stretched for days after the election ended. But at last check, Mr. Branch had doubled his margin, thereby ending discussions of a possible recount. Even still, Mr. Branch's surge in the absentee count led Mr. Branch's 2007 opponent Vernon Crider, to launch allegations of impropriety.

B'more blog Baltimore Brew had a write-up of the race, which they called a "David and Goliath" battle. Since then Ms. Sneed conceded the Democratic Primary to Mr. Branch, but she now appears to be weighing a write-in campaign for the General Election.

BREAKING: Warren Branch Doubles 15-Vote Lead in Baltimore District 13 // Former Opponent Calls Lead "Strange, Too Strange"

UPDATE: The Baltimore Sun had this follow-up article today, but they quote the BOE saying the recount trigger is 2% rather than .1% (one tenth of one percent). That is a major difference. Hopefully a reader can explain? Secondly, the comments section to the Sun article, had a fascinating entry from someone purporting to be the former District 13 Councilmember Vernon Crider. Is he alleging impropriety in the voting results? His note, which references his own loss in 2007, reads: 

As a former city councilman for the 13th district, this is "deja vu" all over again. Mr. Branch defeated me in 2007 after abseetee ballots were counted only by 51 votes. It is quite uncanny that this scenario will reappear. Im no longer involved in politics, but it is quite strange that this will reoccur with Mr. Branch. Too strange...

Go Mrs. Sneed! The people of the 13th are pulling for you!!

Posted by: vernon crider

Late last night we reported on news of a potential recount in Baltimore City's District 13 Council race. The 15-vote margin separating incumbent Councilmember Warren Branch from challenger Shannon Sneed led to recount preparations from the campaigns' operatives. Note, for example, that Mr. Branch arrived at the Board of Elections for this morning's absentee canvass with a lawyer in tow. In our prior coverage, we explain some of Maryland's recount laws and procedures, but now we are essentially waiting to see if the 15-vote margin narrows to within .1% of the total vote (ie: currently 4 votes).

A source with a direct line into the ongoing tallies at the Board of Elections reports fresh numbers in the District 13 race for Baltimore City Council. The news is not good for Shannon Sneed.

BREAKING: 15 Vote Margin May Mean Recount in Baltimore City Council District 13 // NOT BREAKING: Mayoral Race a Yawner

Bal'more Juice, 'Hon!

UPDATE: A Baltimore voter informs us that Early Voting was also conducted on touchscreen machines, meaning most of a "recount" would really only happen with the paper-based absentee and provisional ballots. Additionally, the absentee canvass begins today, and a new source informs us that Mr. Branch has lawyered up! Now, absentee vote totals are coming in. Is this race over?

A Baltimore-based Democratic operative has contacted Maryland Juice with news of a potential recount in the City Council District 13 race. Our source is not an unbiased observer in the process and will hopefully provide updates as candidates start making decisions. Note: the Baltimore City Paper first made mention of this possibility, but we expand upon the news below.

Last Tuesday's Democratic Primary Election canvass left the result of the District 13 race in question, since a razor-thin 15-vote margin separates the first and second place candidates. Incumbent Democratic Councilmember Warren Branch (brother to Delegate Talmadge Branch, a Baltimore City opponent of marriage equality) currently holds the narrow lead over newcomer Shannon Sneed. The totals currently include the Early Voting and Election Day polling location results, but it does not appear that provisional ballots and absentee ballots are included in the current count.