Thousands of Montgomery County voters could have a hard time getting to the polls on primary day in June because of the Tiger Woods-sponsored PGA tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.
The primary is scheduled for June 24 – the first day golf fans can go to Congressional to get a look at the pros during the first practice round.
Those who live near Congressional know the tournament brings a lot of traffic, which is why the Board of Elections is advising voters how to avoid traffic going to their polling places while golf fans are trying to go to Congressional.
“There's the potential to have eight precincts impacted,” said Marjorie Roher of the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
These polling places are located within about a mile of the tournament:
- River Falls Swim Club, 7915 Horseshoe Lane, Potomac
- Our Lady of Mercy School, 9222 Kentsdale Drive, Potomac
- Carderock Springs Elementary School, 7401 Persimmon Tree Lane, Bethesda
- Seven Locks Elementary School, 9500 Seven Locks Road, Bethesda
- Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Boulevard, Bethesda
- Bannockburn Elementary School, 6520 Dalroy Lane, Bethesda
- Thomas W. Pyle Middle School, 6311 Wilson Lane, Bethesda
- Clara Barton Community Center, 7425 MacArthur Boulevard, Cabin John
Voter turnout isn't expected to be high, but a heated Democratic primary for governor could bring out more voters than expected.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
With early voting and voting by mail, the traffic is avoidable. Early voting centers are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., including weekends June 12-19. Voting by mail is already underway.
The deadline to register is June 3.
For golf fans looking to avoid traffic, remote parking lots and shuttle buses should cut down on the congestion.
