There was plenty of rain and very few voters at the polling place that was the scene of tension and conflict last week, the Public Safety Training Center at 3500 West Northern Parkway.

Some who showed up had super local concerns (“I just wish they would fix Purnell Drive,” exclaimed one), while others came with global issues in mind.

“I care about AI centers, the environment, mass transportation and opportunities for marginalized people,” said Reinfred Addo. “I feel like these days everything is in flux.”

Thinking further, he added “immigration, ICE and our relationship with our federal government” to this list of concerns.

Addo wouldn’t disclose who he voted for in the highly contested 41st District state senate race, but said he researched carefully Malcolm Ruff’s and Dalya Attar’s track records, including Attar’s pending criminal charges. “I know people are innocent til proven guilty, but these charges were recorded.”

Asked what brought her out to vote amid the morning’s heavy rain showers, Betty Hart also a ready list of issues.

“I care about children. I care about education. I care about crime,” she said, speaking with The Brew as she dashed back to her car. “We have to do something for the children who are riding those fast bikes. Instead of locking them up, we have to give them someplace safe to do it,” she said.

Asked who she voted for, she said she knew who shared her priorities. “I’m going with Malcolm.”

Viewed as a Plus

Two sisters who came to the polls together agreed that it’s hard to get information on the candidates. Erica Kelly said it was an effort to do the necessary research on the one race she could vote on as a registered Independent, the city School Board.

“I agree,” said Tracey Edwards, a registered Democrat, who said she was less attracted to Ruff than turned off by Attar once she heard about her criminal charges.

“We don’t want someone with those kind of issues leading us,” she said.

For another voter, Attar’s charges were viewed as a plus. He characterized the eight-count federal indictment against Attar, her brother and a Baltimore police officer as “political dirt digging.”

“It must mean a person is good if they’re going to that much trouble to find things on them,” said the man, who declined to give his name.

He said he was guided in his decision by those with more knowledge and authority.

“I personally don’t know much about politics. I just have to trust our community member leaders who say the incumbents have been doing a good job.”

Another Attar voter, who also declined to give his name, said he came to vote “because of the whole Malcolm-Dalya thing.”

“We don’t want a candidate who is saying anti-Semitic things,” he said, alleging that Ruff had done so.

Told to Vote Elsewhere

While The Brew watched in the morning, a half dozen voters left before casting their vote, told they were at the wrong precinct.

When we returned late in the afternoon, the same thing was happening – three more women were told to go vote at another another location. A fourth, speaking with The Brew, exploded with anger and frustration.

“This is crazy, I’ve been coming here for years,” said Flora Howard. “I have lived here for 21 years. I have always voted here.”

“Now they’re telling me I have to go to vote at some place in Forest Park, and I don’t even know where that is,” she said, heading off to find the location.

“If I wasn’t a pusher, I would give up and go home. But I’m not going to do that. This is intended to discourage us from voting.”