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Last year, University Park had one of its more memorable elections in recent memory, as two of four Town Council races were contested, with one ending in a tie that had to be settled by a June special election.

This year's election, held Tuesday at the town's Riverdale Presbyterian Church, proved less eventful. All four incumbents — Mayor John Tabori and council members Margaret Mallino (Ward 1), Susan McPherson (Ward 3) and Jacqueline Bradley Chacon (Ward 7) — ran unopposed and were re-elected. In 2009, three new council members were elected.

Tabori, Bradley Chacon, Mallino and McPherson received 119, 35, 15 and 7 votes respectively. Ten votes in the mayoral race did not specify a candidate or were deemed invalid. There were 186 ballots cast this year, compared to 263 in 2009.

The town has about 1,100 registered voters, according to the Prince George's County Board of Elections.

Tabori said voter and candidate participation likely rose last year because of debate about the town's pension system. Many residents argued whether the town should enroll its 24 employees in the Maryland State Pension and Retirement System at the cost of $1.2 million.

Since the council approved enrollment last June, Tabori said town politics mostly have returned to its usually quiet nature.

"The basic thing is that there's no a major policy issue this year," said Tabori, who estimated three-fourths of town elections feature unopposed candidates. "There's no issue to really stir up residents."

The town has elections for mayor and Ward 1, 3 and 7 council seats in even-numbered years and elections in Wards 2, 4, 5 and 6 in odd-numbered years. Each member is allowed to serve a maximum of three consecutive two-year terms.

This will be the final term for Tabori, Mallino and McPherson, all of whom were first elected to their posts in 2006. Bradley Chacon won a special election in December to replace former councilman Ed DeSaussure, who resigned in November in regard to what he perceived to be reckless town spending.

McPherson said she ran again to help the council continue its dialogue with local developers. The council actively has opposed several nearby mixed-use and housing projects, including Belcrest Plaza in Hyattsville and the Cafritz property in Riverdale Park.

"The reason I initially chose to run was property development, and that I wanted to have a say in the process," McPherson said. "What initially got me here is keeping me going."

The mayor and re-elected council members will be sworn in May 17.