Polls to Stay Open 90 Minutes Later in Md.

WASHINGTON - Polls in Maryland's primary will stay open an extra 90 minutes statewide because of icy weather created traffic gridlock in parts of the state, the state elections chief said Tuesday.

The polls were to close at 8 p.m., but will now stay open until 9:30 p.m. The polls closed at 8 p.m. in the District and 7 p.m. in Virginia.

Voter turnout was high during the day in Maryland's Democratic primary between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but cold temperatures, snow in western Maryland and the potential for a messy afternoon made elections officials question whether the turnout would remain high.

State elections chief Linda Lamone said accidents were reported along U.S. 50 and Interstate 97 in central Maryland.

"It's gridlock," Lamone said after receiving court approval to keep the polls open. "I mean, people can't get anywhere, especially in the central part of the state."

Lamone said she asked for a court order from Anne Arundel County Judge Ronald A. Silkworth about 7 p.m., and he granted it about 10 minutes later.

Ballots cast during the extended 90 minutes will be provisional ballots, as required by federal law. That means people will vote on paper, the ballots will be put in an envelope and reviewed after the election.

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