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The Race For Baltimore's Next Mayor Continues To Get Tighter

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- War of words. The two top candidates vying to run Baltimore City are accusing each other of foul play---this as a record number of voters turn out to cast their ballots.

Meghan McCorkell has more on the mayor's race.

Both the Dixon and Pugh campaigns are accusing each other of voter intimidation and both are asking state officials to investigate.

They've sparred in debates and over the airwaves. Now it's what's happening outside polling places that has the two top mayoral frontrunners at odds.

"The requirement that you get on a bus and go vote as a condition of getting a job for one day later on is just buying votes," said Bob Dashiell, Dixon campaign.

Sheila Dixon's camp accuses Catherine Pugh of busing campaign workers to polling places and influencing them to vote for her.

"They said, `You're getting paid $100. You're on this bus. When you go into that Westside Center, you've got to vote for Miss Pugh," said former Pugh worker Raymond Fenwick.

It's a charge Pugh adamantly denies.

"We know the campaign laws and we don't ask anybody to vote for us," Pugh said.

Pugh's camp has sent a cease and desist letter to Dixon, claiming her supporters are intimidating Pugh voters outside polling places.

"Oftentimes catcalls, oftentimes they yell at them and say, `Oh, how much did you get paid to come and vote?'" said Anthony McCarthy, Pugh campaign.

The accusations are flying as the city sees a record number of people turn out for early voting.

"I thought about it early. I knew exactly what my decision was," said one voter.

Fifteen thousand Baltimore voters have already gone to the polls---more than four times the number that voted in the 2011 mayoral primary.

"We need a change, and I think I voted for the right candidate," the voter said.

Big numbers for a high stakes race.

Early voting goes through Thursday; the primary is April 26.

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