Meeting: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Agenda: https://takomaparkmd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11122026-688
Meeting Overview & Public Comments Status
- Public Comments: Mayor Talisha Cersei announced at the start of the meeting that no public comments were held during this special session. The agenda was abbreviated specifically to give the Board of Elections volunteers a well-deserved break following their intensive vote-counting efforts.
Key Plotted Election Data
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| Municipality / Ward | Total Voter Turnout (%) | Mail / Dropbox Voting (%) | In-Person Voting (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takoma Park (Citywide) | 50.7% (~51%) | 83% | 17% |
| Rockville | 31% | — | — |
| Frederick | 24% | — | — |
| Hyattsville | 19% | — | — |
| Ward 1 | — | 83% | 17% |
| Ward 2 | — | 83% | 17% |
| Ward 3 | — | 83% | 17% |
| Ward 4 | — | 80% | 20% |
| Ward 5 | — | 83% | 17% |
| Ward 6 (Shuttle Service) | — | 88% | 12% |
Highlights & Takeaways
- State-Leading Civic Engagement: Takoma Park’s ~51% turnout was the highest among all Maryland cities with a population of 10,000+ that manage their own elections, far outpacing Rockville (31%), Frederick (24%), and Hyattsville (19%).
- Dominance of Non-In-Person Voting: 83% of total votes were submitted via postal mail or election dropboxes (with dropboxes receiving the vast majority of non-in-person ballots).
- Impact of Ward-Specific Transit Support: Ward 6 registered the lowest in-person voting rate (12%) and highest mail/dropbox usage (88%), which Councilmember Wesleck and Councilmember Hanzac credited in part to the city’s election-day shuttle bus assisting residents with ballot drop-offs
Content Presentation: Board of Elections Certification Report
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The presentation certifying the November 3, 2026, municipal election results was delivered by Joe Goldman (Ward 1 resident representing the Board of Elections), joined by Matt Ling and Olivia Dale.
- Staff & Volunteer Acknowledgments: The Board recognized poll workers, ballot counters, city staff, candidates, and volunteers, specifically highlighting key staff members Jesse Carpenter (City Clerk), Irma Nalvarte (Deputy City Clerk), and Katrina Clark.
- Election Process & Integrity Highlights:
- Turnout: Takoma Park achieved 50.7% (~51%) voter turnout, the highest of any Maryland city with 10,000 or more residents that runs its own elections.
- Voting Access: Features included mail-in ballots sent to all registered voters, drop boxes, in-person voting, same-day registration, ranked-choice voting (RCV), voting rights extended to 16- and 17-year-olds as well as noncitizen residents, and an eight-day deadline extension for postmarked mail ballots.
- Verification & Security: Detailed, rigorous, multi-step safeguards included two-person teams handling numbered drop box seals, logging inner envelopes in batches of 50, two-worker signature checks on a livestream, public rulings on flagged ballots by the Board, and RCV software verification.
- Cost Efficiency & Speed: The cost was approximately $12 per ballot cast ($5.60 per registered voter), lower than comparable Maryland cities that mail ballots. Certification was completed in nine days.
- Voting Methods: Approximately 83% of votes were submitted via mail or drop boxes (~800 by postal mail, with the vast majority deposited in drop boxes), while 17% were cast in person.
- Notable Write-ins/Notes: Lighthearted write-ins included Bart Simpson, McLovin, “No Flock,” and a ham sandwich. Approximately 12 library books were also returned in election drop boxes.
- Certified Results:
- Mayoral Race: Mayor Talisha Searcy won reelection with 3,735 votes (61.76%) over Tom Gagliardo (2,260 votes / 37.37%), with 53 write-in votes.
- City Council Races:
- Ward 1: Shana Fulcher won with 786 votes (53.98%) vs. Doug Glynn (657 votes / 45%).
- Ward 2: Jim Della-Giacoma won with 755 votes (62%) vs. Suzy Stimler (436 votes / 36.24%).
- Ward 3: Tom Wallack won with 1,165 votes (61 write-ins).
- Ward 4: Kurt Gilbert won with 687 votes (97%, 21 write-ins).
- Ward 5: Cara Honzak won with 403 votes (95%, 17 write-ins).
- Ward 6: Amy Wesolek won with 431 votes (56.64%) vs. Ambroise Agosse (322 votes / 42%).