With the approach of tomorrow's election, Howard County's voters appear to be split into two camps -- and they aren't the partisan kind.
On one side, there are those undaunted by the confusing cavalcade of candidates, offices, districts and ballot referendum questions facing county voters tomorrow.
On the other, there are those who are overwhelmed.
Columbia resident John Rogers, a former newspaper reporter who is starting a new information service, and Lois Jewell, a senior citizen who describes herself as a "dyed-in-the-wool" Republican, say they've got everything straight.
"It's not overwhelming for the person who cares and wants to vote," says Mr. Rogers.
Adds Mrs. Jewell, "I'm clear on all the races. I've read my [League of Women] voter's guide and all the literature I've gotten in the mail."
But many others confess they find much of this year's electoral process a blinding muddle -- save for certain high-profile races, such as governor, county executive and U.S. Senate seats.
"It would be a help if there were less candidates," says Rosalie Swidersky, echoing the consensus at her table of friends last week at the Florence Bain Senior Center in Columbia.
"There are too many people running. You just can't keep them all straight, and you don't know who to vote for in some of the races."
Mrs. Swidersky, who says she never fails to vote, shouldn't be blamed for feeling a little lost.
The average voter in the county will have at least 14 public offices in which to vote come tomorrow's general election, from U.S. Senate down to decisions on Howard County's Orphans Court judges and Register of Wills.
Altogether, Howard's ballots offer 63 candidates.
To make matters tougher for those already confused, voters must vote for two candidates in some races.
That's the case in the nonpartisan Howard school board election, where there are four candidates running, and in several of the county's House of Delegate districts.
In one these districts -- District 13A, which represents east Columbia and the southeast neck of the county -- voters must choose among five candidates, including an independent, seeking two seats.
Further testing the stamina of Howard's 106,389 registered voters, there also are three statewide and three county ballot questions to consider.
Two of these are fairly complex issues, involving an understanding of the county zoning process and the state court of appeals system.
But most voter confusion in Howard appears to be about the races for local offices, such as County Council, House of Delegates and courthouse seats.
"I recognize the names in the races I'm interested in, but that's about it," says Camille Jaglinski, a Howard County Library volunteer worker.
Those races about which Mrs. Jaglinski says she has a clear understanding include the Glendening-Sauerbrey battle for the governor's seat, Paul Sarbanes' efforts to stave off Bill Brock's run for his U.S. Senate seat, and the fight between Charles Ecker and Susan Gray for the county executive's office.
"Also, I personally know someone running for Orphan's Court," Mrs. Jaglinski adds.
Many voters say they know a particular candidate's name, but aren't exactly clear which office the politician is seeking. "I know Rappaport's name. What's she running for?" asked Mrs. Jaglinski, referring to Margaret Rappaport, a Democratic candidate for Clerk of the Court.
Like many others, Mrs. Jaglinski also says she isn't exactly sure which council district or state House and Senate district she lives in.
That's understandable because the electoral boundaries for different offices often aren't the same.
For example, Mrs. Jaglinski lives in east Columbia. That means she lives in County Council District 2, state legislative District 13A, and the Third Congressional District.
"It seems," she says, "like an awful lot to keep straight this year."