by Bradley Heard
GCHIC President & Founder
Yesterday, Prince George’s County held a special primary election for County Executive and the District 5 County Council member. This election presented a prime opportunity for residents to shape the leadership of their local government in the wake of the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Yet, after weeks of candidate forums, stacks of campaign mailers, and endless opportunities to research and engage, only five percent of eligible voters cast a ballot. That number isn’t just disappointing; it’s alarming.
Low voter turnout is not a new issue, but it is a persistent and deeply troubling one. Elections are the foundation of our democracy—but yesterday, most Prince George’s County voters chose to stay home, letting a small fraction of the eligible voting population determine the outcome. (In this overwhelmingly Democratic county, the winner of the primary election is almost assured victory in the general election.)
Regardless of whether you supported or opposed the winners of yesterday’s contest, the question we all should be asking is this: how can we expect a responsive, effective, and accountable government when so few people participate in selecting our leaders?
Local elections matter. County officials make decisions on education, public safety, transportation, economic development, and countless other issues that shape our daily lives. When voter turnout is this low, we end up with leadership that may not reflect the true will of the people. Worse, it sends a message that the electorate is disengaged, making it easier for elected officials to avoid accountability.
Some may argue that special elections naturally see lower turnout. While that may be true, that excuse isn’t good enough. A democracy is only as strong as the participation of its citizens. If we want better schools, safer communities, and smarter development in Prince George’s County, we need voters who are informed, engaged, and active. Otherwise, we’ll continue to see leadership that doesn’t truly represent the interests and needs of the people.
So, what can we do? First, we must treat every election—special or otherwise—with the importance it deserves. Voter education needs to be a priority, not just during presidential elections but at every level of government. Second, community leaders, civic organizations, and residents must push for stronger outreach efforts to ensure that every eligible voter understands when and how to vote. Finally, we must hold ourselves accountable. If we’re frustrated with local government, we can’t just complain—we need to show up and vote.
Prince George’s County deserves leadership that is visionary, competent, and dedicated to the needs of its residents. But that leadership will only emerge if the people demand it at the ballot box. We cannot afford another election where 95% of voters stay home. The future of our county depends on our participation.
There were only about 10 polling places open in the whole county. At Bowie the wait was about 90 minutes at 6:30. I should have early voted, but the county could have opened more polls as well.