Barack Obama Wins Maryland

Barack Obama won Maryland’s 10 electoral votes on Tuesday, defeating Republican Mitt Romney.

In the 2008 presidential election, the state voted for the Democratic candidate, and since the 1990s has voted for the overall winner of the presidential race three out of five times.

Romney and Obama did not campaign aggressively in Maryland. The state has typically been a Democratic stronghold in recent presidential elections. 

ABC and CNN reported Obama had won Maryland within 30 minutes of the polls closing around the state.

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Women's rights at the national level were a key issue for some in Maryland, including Edgemere resident Trudie Stancliff.

"I know of a lot of women who have never voted who are voting this year for the first time," Stancliff said. "They're voting to protect their rights as women, to be able to make their personal decisions as women."

Ken Hoffman was the fourth person in line to vote Tuesday morning at a library in Severna Park, and said leadership was key in his vote.

“I think he has done a very good job so far especially given all the problems he inherited in the beginning,” Hoffman said. “I think if you asked most people honestly they will tell you they are better off now than they were four years ago. I really feel that Mitt Romney is not the person we can pick to lead this country.”

Becky Rizvi, 53, of Silver Spring, said she supported Obama, in part because she said she feels others don't.

"I think Obama has done a remarkable job getting a lot of stuff done with not much help," she said. "I think he’s a hero—I’ve been praying with might and mane." 

Turnout was high at many polling sites throughout the day—with an early morning rush bested by a last-minute charge to the voting booths at the end of the work day.

The presidential race was only one of a number of key races that fueled interest in Maryland.

In state ballot questions, marriage equality and expanded gambling were key topics for drawing Maryland voters to the polls.

The economy was also a key issue for many voters in the state.

Perry Hall's Kim Middlecamp voted for Romney, explaining: "I have two young daughters, 17 and 14, and I haven't been pleased with the economy, among other things." 

Joe Applegate voted at Perry Hall High School, picking Romney, because "for me, it's personal because I'm a small business owner, and I feel like Romney is for business. There are other issues—we need to do something about the debt."

Maryland voters, like Perry Hall's Patrick Linch, opted to give Obama a second term.

"I voted for President Obama because I feel he's seriously committed to addressing the issues unresolved from his first term," Linch said.