Why voter turnout in central Pa. was down for the primary; what to expect in November

Teresa Boeckel
York Daily Record

Fewer voters cast ballots in the Pennsylvania primary last month than during the presidential primary four years ago.

That's not surprising for several reasons, including the coronavirus pandemic, a now uncontested presidential race and few down-ballot competitions, state and local elections officials say. 

Statewide voter turnout still is not available, but Adams, Franklin, Lebanon and York counties all saw a decrease as compared to the 2016 primary when the presidential race was still contested on both the Democratic and Republican tickets.

While turnout hovered at or above 40 percent in 2016, it was at or below 40 percent in 2020.

This year, incumbent Republican President Donald Trump is seeking re-election, and former Vice President Joe Biden is the presumptive Democratic nominee. The race was largely decided after U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders suspended his Democratic campaign in April. Pennsylvania's primary was delayed until June 2 because of the pandemic.

"While the pandemic likely played a part in turnout, there was also an incumbent president and an all-but pre-determined presidential candidate in the opposition party," York County spokesman Mark Walters said. "Additionally, there were not many down-ballot competitions in this year’s primary, which likely contributed to a lower turnout this time around."

The new mail-in voting option helped to keep turnout closer to 40 percent this spring, Lebanon County elections director Michael L. Anderson said. Otherwise, turnout "probably would have been way down."

His office estimated receiving 7,000 to 10,000 mail-in applications before the coronavirus pandemic hit. It turned out to be about 15,500, and he expects the number to double for the general election.

In Franklin County, in-person turnout was higher than what elections officials anticipated, director Jennie Ailes said. "We were pleasantly surprised." 

More:Pa. Primary: See live results from presidential, local races

More:Presidential primary results: Biden, Trump win nominations from Pa.

Gearing up for the Nov. 3 general election

A voter enters a polling station inside First United Methodist Church at 200 Frederick St. in Hanover Borough during the Pennsylvania primary election on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.

Leading up to the general election, the Pennsylvania Department of State plans to continue to inform the public about the no-excuse, mail-in voting option, spokeswoman Wanda Murren said. Nearly 1.5 million voters chose to cast their ballots this way in the primary.

In addition, the department has been working with the 67 counties as well as other states' chief election officials to share effective timelines, best practices, equipment and other recommendations and training, Murren wrote. 

Counties that did not have sufficient equipment are ordering more, she said. They also are exploring other processes and vendors that were helpful in other places. 

The department's election team is developing a timeline for counties to help them handle an increase in mail-in ballot requests and to stay on track with the election processes, Murren wrote. The timeline will provide target dates, such as when to begin mailing ballots to voters.

Officials also are looking for legislative changes, such as allowing counties to start pre-canvassing ballots in the weeks before election day.

"We hope the legislature shares the urgency of this change advocated both by the counties and the Department, and will pass this in the coming months," Murren wrote.