From reporter Larry Carson, a look at the start of primary day in Howard County:

Warren B. Mayo III of Columbia said he came straight from his 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. shift as a technician for public broadcasting in Northern Virginia to vote, even though there is little at stake on the Democrat's primary ballot.

"It's my right to vote. My voice can be heard through voting," the 35-year-old said.

He was one of four people who stood at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center when it opened at 7 a.m. The parking lot was festooned with a campaign signs, but no poll workers or candidates were in sight.

Tim Zayatz, 45, the second voter to arrive, is a Republican. He said he came to support former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., for the GOP nomination.

"I figured they'd have a line," he said, and he wanted to beat it. Last night he said he received a robo call at home from Sarah Palin touting the candidacy of Ehrlich rival Brian Murphy, but it did no good, he said.

Two others, both Democrats, also arrived just as the doors opened for the day. Richard Krantz, 70, said he and his wife Nancy are "dedicated citizens and believe in our right to vote."