Party Affiliation

When Baltimore voters go to the polls for tomorrow's primary election, they will choose several courthouse officers, including sheriff, clerk of the court and register of wills. All three Democratic incumbents are running for re-election -- Sheriff John W. Anderson, Clerk of the Court Frank M. Conaway and his wife, Register of Wills Mary W. Conaway. Each is being challenged by one Democratic opponent. There are no Republican challengers. The opponents -- sheriff candidate Shelton J. Stewart and clerk of the court candidate William Allen -- might be familiar because they were forced from elected courthouse offices in the 1980s amid investigations.

Deadline to change party affiliation for primary is Monday The Howard County Board of Elections reminds those who plan to vote in the Maryland primary election in September that the deadline to change political party affiliation, or change to or from the unaffiliated designation, is 9 p.m. Monday. The gubernatorial primary election will be held Sept. 10. Voters who want to take part in the Democratic or Republican primary elections must register with the party they want to join. Information: 410-313-5820.

Carroll Planning Commission member David Brauning - a Democrat who is switching his party affiliation - has joined the crowded field of Republican candidates running for Carroll County commissioner. Brauning, 64, who made his announcement Friday before a crowd of about 75 supporters outside the County Office Building, spoke of his childhood on a farm in Finksburg and of his 45 years as an insurance agent. He said Carroll County can be run without input from state leaders, an implied dig at Gov. Parris N. Glendening, who has frequently sparred with the county commissioners over Smart Growth initiatives.

Howard County Sheriff Charles M. Cave is planning to run for re-election next year as a Democrat - a change in party affiliation that has irked Republican leaders and resulted in their vow to defeat him. The soft-spoken, first-term sheriff, who won election as a Republican in 1998, made the switch official in August and said he is planning to file his candidacy in the next several days. While local Democrats welcomed the addition of an incumbent to next year's ticket for countywide races, Cave's actions left local Republicans feeling betrayed.

Isaac Opalinsky collected more than twice the number of signatures required to run for the Annapolis city council. He began holding campaign receptions, collecting money, turning in finance reports. Now the man who would be the first Green Party candidate to run in a local Maryland election has been told he won't be Green on the ballot after all. City election officials have told Opalinsky that a reading of city law shows that his party affiliation must be kept off the ballot. Instead, he would be listed under the heading "other candidates."

Isaac Opalinsky collected more than twice the number of signatures required to run for the Annapolis city council. He began holding campaign receptions, collecting money, turning in finance reports. Now the man who would be the first Green Party candidate to run in a Maryland election has been told he won't be Green on the ballot after all. City election officials have told Opalinsky that a reading of city law shows that his party affiliation must be kept off the ballot. Instead, he would be listed under the heading "other candidates," like the city's two independent council candidates.

UP -- Peter G. Angelos With only minor details remaining, the majority owner appears ready to enter a partnership with Ripken over a Single-A team in Aberdeen. What could have become an obstructionist mess should serve as a benefit to both the Orioles and the Iron Man. DOWN -- Ryan Kohlmeier His descent from closer to Triple-A middle relief is one of the season's most disappointing developments. But someone ought to decide the guy's role. UP -- Josh Towers The Orioles right-hander looks like June's AL Rookie of the Month ... maybe Pitcher of the Month.

In many ways, the race for Howard County school board is a lot like the race for the next president of the United States. On many issues the candidates seem to agree, although their approaches differ, keeping many voters undecided. And, for many county residents, party politics has popped up in the race a little too often. The four candidates for county Board of Education - Stephen C. Bounds, Virginia Charles, Patricia S. Gordon and Jerry D. Johnston - debated their way past 14 other candidates in the March primary to get to this point.

Republican Ellen R. Sauerbrey plunged into her general election campaign yesterday, traveling to Baltimore's Lexington Market to shake hands, give out stickers and lobby for votes among a predominantly urban, Democratic crowd."

Tomorrow is the last day voters can change party affiliation before the Sept. 15 primary.A voter must register as a Democrat or Republican to vote in the primary, except in nonpartisan elections such as school board.Crossover voting is not allowed; Democrats can vote only for Democrats and Republicans for Republicans. Crossover voting is allowed in the general election.The Board of Supervisors of Elections will stay open at its second-floor office at 125 N. Court St. until 9 p.m. to receive voter registration changes.