Montgomery County Election Results: School Board, Circuit Court

BETHESDA, MD — Heading into what promises to be an unprecedented and nerve-wracking presidential election, Montgomery County voters must decide how they will cast their ballots.

There are three seats up for grabs on the Montgomery County Board of Education — at-large, District 2, and District 4. Only the top two vote-getters in the June 2 primary advanced to the Nov. 3 general election.

School board races in Maryland's most populous county are usually quiet. But a controversial districtwide review of school boundaries is dividing residents and turning the election into an animated and tense debate about race and equity.

For full coverage of the 2020 election in Maryland, go to Maryland Elections 2020 topic page.

Dr. Sunil Dasgupta — a university professor and father of three MCPS students — and Lynne Harris — the former president of the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations — are vying for the open at-large seat created by Jeanette Dixon, who decided not to seek reelection.

There was no primary election in District 2, since there were only two candidates on the ballot. Voters will choose between incumbent Rebecca Smondrowski and long-time teacher Michael Fryar.

Shebra Evans, who currently serves as the school board's president, has represented District 4 since 2016. She's running against long-time Montgomery County resident Steve Solomon.

In addition to selecting three school board members, voters can choose which four judges will sit on the county's circuit court bench. Four of the five candidates are sitting judges: Bibi Berry; David Boynton; Christopher Fogleman; and Michael McAuliffe. They all were appointed by the governor and underwent a rigorous vetting process.

Challenger and Rockville attorney Marylin Pierre is hoping to unseat one of the judges by winning the Nov. 3 election. Judges on the circuit court bench serve 15-year terms.

Two additional races affecting Montgomery County voters are between Rep. David Trone (D), Neil Parrott (R), and George Gluck (Green Party) in District 6 and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D) and Gregory Thomas Coll (R) in District 8.

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Anyone who is registered to vote (or eligible to register to vote) can cast their ballot during early voting, which runs through Nov. 2.

Voters can return their completed ballot by mail, in person at an early voting site, or at a drop box location.

Vote By Mail

Your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3), and received by the local board of elections by 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13.

Early Voting Center

To register and vote in-person, go to an early voting center in Montgomery County and bring a document that proves where you live (i.e., MVA-issued license, ID card, paycheck, bank statement, utility bill).

There will be instructions available at early voting sites to familiarize you with the ballot. You can ask an election judge to explain how to vote, but you must cast your ballot by yourself (unless you have a disability or are unable to read or write in English).

Drop Box

You can also deposit your mail-in ballot at any one of Montgomery County's drop box locations. Click here for a list of sites.

Your ballot will not count if you don't sign the oath on the return envelope.

On Election Day, residents can cast their ballot at one of Montgomery County's voting centers between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Voters will be required to stand six feet apart and the number of people inside voting centers will be capped, which may result in lines and wait times. The State Board of Elections says the best time to vote on Election Day is between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Patch asked candidates about their positions on a variety of subjects. Learn more about those who responded to our survey by visiting the links below: