Record voting in Franklin Co.: 'It was like people were lining up for a rock concert'

Polling places across Franklin County reported record voter turnout Tuesday. Lines stretched outside at some polling places before sunrise.

John Bognoski, Judge of Elections at Guilford Precinct 2, said this year's voter turnout has been "absurdly great." At 6:15 a.m., voters were already lined up outside when he arrived at New Guilford Brethren in Christ Church.

"It was like people were lining up for a rock concert," he said.

Guilford wasn't the only precinct in the county to break records.

Nearby, in Greene Township, Precinct 4 surpassed record voting turnout at 77% of the precinct voting with over two hours left, Judge of Elections Dwight Weidman said.

"At one point, we were averaging close to 200 an hour," Weidman said.

First-time voters hit the polls in droves this year as well.

Judge James Murphy oversaw Montgomery 1 at Tuscarora Senior Center.

He said they had over 30 people waiting in line when the poll workers arrived at 6:30 a.m. 

They had a lot of first-time voters. He makes a point to make sure they know how to read and fill out the ballot, especially if there are races where the voter can choose multiple candidates. Montgomery 1 also had a lot of people who hadn’t voted in a long time. 

"It’s nice to see this kind of turnout," he said.

Murphy wishes this many people would participate in local elections. He said the last local election probably had about 40% turnout. 

“People look at the president as the most important, but it’s the local offices that affect you the most,” he said.

At Metal 1, Judge Wendy Herbert oversaw voting at the Fannettsburg Community Building. Their oldest voter was 93-years-old.

"If she can get here, anybody can," she said.

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Heroes at the polls

For poll workers and election judges across the county, seeing their friends and neighbors show up to vote in record numbers make the extra-long hours worth it.

Judge of Elections Bruce Hockersmith said West Shippensburg had a "whopping good turnout." Hockersmith comes back every election because he believes in the importance of public service.

"There is nothing more important to me than seeing that my community - and that extends to be a way beyond my community to my state, and my nation - functions in a democratic manner," he said.

For many who work the polls on election day, it's a chance to reconnect with the community.

Election day is a “nice opportunity” to catch up with people around town, Murphy said.

Judge Melvin Clites at St. Thomas Fire Department said high turnout makes the job much more rewarding.

"It’s disappointing to see 20% turnout and so few people choosing which way the country goes,” he said.

For some in Franklin County, working the polls has become a lifetime endeavor.

In Hamilton 2, Bonita “Bonnie” Heckman was the Judge of Elections at Cornerstone Church of Christ. She has been the judge for this area of Hamilton Township for 60 years.

When she first started, the precinct was at “Red Eshelman’s wash house” in the Turkey Foot area – where Warm Spring Road (Pa. 995), Social Island Road and Jack Road meet.

You could do your wash while your vote, Bonnie quipped. She was stationed at a few other locations, some odd by today’s standards, before the precinct came to Cornerstone Church.

The high tensions of election season don't seem to tarnish the experience for those who make it a point to come back year after year.

Bognoski said this civil act brings people together.

"For every fool that you meet in here, you see five or 10 great people," he said. "Most of the people, especially in this area - I mean it's fantastic - it's like the whole area here has become my family."

See live election results from the Franklin County Board of Elections here.

Carley Bonk is a Watchdog Reporter for the USA Today Network - Pennsylvania. Her coverage spans across the southcentral region of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at cbonk@publicopinionnews.com or on Twitter at @carls_marie.