District 3 Candidates in High Spirits Tuesday Morning

The weather was brisk Tuesday morning at the Bowie Gymnasium, but that did not dampen the spirits of the District 3 council candidates, incumbent Henri Gardner and challenger Babatunde Alegbeleye, or keep voters from turning out in higher than average numbers, according to election judges.

As of 10 a.m., about 125 residents had cast their ballots at the Bowie Gymnasium, which is the District 3A polling center, and 122 voters had cast ballots at City Hall, the District 3B polling center. There were also 64 absentee ballot applications for District 3. 

"District 3 is a little higher this time," noted City Clerk Awilda Hernandez in regards to absentee ballot applications, though that's not terribly surprising given it is one of only two contested races this election cycle. 

Alegbeleye, who was campaigning at the District 3A polling place Tuesday morning said things had been going well, and that the stream of voters had been steady all morning. 

"It's a great excitement and I want to serve," Alegbeleye said. "As Americans we must understand it is important to do our civic duty." 

Gardner was also at the Bowie Gymnasium, and was also feeling optimistic. 

"Most of the voters seem to know me," he said, adding that he'd knocked on most of the doors in his district over the course of his campaign. 

Although he feels good about his chances for reelection, he said he's not taking anything for granted.

"I know that I've worked hard for the residents of Bowie," Gardner said. "And if I don't win today, I'll run again."

Polls in Bowie will remain open until 8 p.m. For more information on voting in Bowie, check out Patch's Election Guide.