Live updates: News from the polls as Franklin County votes in the primary

Check back regularly for updates about primary voting in Franklin County.

'If you want to make a difference, you have to vote'

Primary elections took place across the county Tuesday with slower than normal turnout being reported by poll workers. 

"We opened the doors at 7:00 a.m. and one person walked in,” said Evie Cook, judge of elections at Calvary Assembly of God in Waynesboro. As of 8 a.m. six registered voters had cast their ballot at her location which has 967 registered. "Everyone should come out and vote, it’s your right and duty,” Cook said. 

At the ambulance squad in Waynesboro, voters turned out in larger numbers to the tune over around 50 voters by mid-morning, with over 1,000 registered. “On primary elections we usually see close to 200, and presidential elections we have about 700 voters," said Jon Fleagle, judge of elections. “It’s been exceptionally slow, even for a primary. We're hoping that once people get off work around 4 o’clock that there is a surge in voting."

Long-time voter, Sue Lowens of Waynesboro shared her thoughts on voting Tuesday. 

“It was a good experience," she said. "The ballot was easy and clear. My advice for people is to get out and vote, and make sure to read the questions fully. “People need to come out and vote and read the questions; if you want to make a difference you have to vote." 

-- Staff

Turnout 'slow but steady' in Chambersburg area

At Letterkenny’s First Precinct, voting turnout has been “slow but steady” at the Pleasant Hall Fire Department according to Judge of Elections Joanne George.

George has been a Judge of Elections for ten years.

“When we have a presidential election, we always have a much higher turnout,” she said. “Comparatively speaking, this is a good turnout for a primary.”

Just before noon, the precinct took in about 130 voters out of 1,200 registered.

Outside the fire hall, School Director candidate Faye Gaugler talked to voters.

After voting at her polling place at Kenny’s Auto Sales, she visited Lurgan and Hamilton precincts.

“There’s so much going on in the world and I can’t make any difference in the big picture, but I thought maybe in the Little picture of Chambersburg I can make an impact,” she said.

High on the list of voter concerns when it comes to education is the critical race theory, Gaugler said.

“I certainly am concerned that we need to avoid that coming into our schools,” she said.

At nearby Lurgan Township Supervisors Office, voter turnout has been encouraging, according to Judy Wilson, Judge of Elections.

“We always do better than people think,” she said. “People around here love to vote.”

At Greene’s 6th precinct, voter turnout was low through the afternoon, according to Audra Green, judge of elections.

Overall, there wasn’t much confusion at the polls this year.

“It has been wonderful so far,” she said. “Everybody has been familiar with what they’re to do.”

The nice weather was a plus.

“Everybody’s been real friendly and happy to be out because it’s a beautiful day.”

Judy Stoner, 71, a Republican, was happy to get out and vote in the primaries, as she does for every election.

“It’s my civic duty,” she said. “We have more of an opportunity to influence the general election by participating in the primary.”

In Chambersburg’s Third Ward, the Chambersburg Recreation Center was a busy place, according to Dave Jones, judge of elections.

“We were busier than expected,” he said. “We’re generally not as busy during local elections.”

By 5:00, Guilford Township’s 4th precinct had over 200 voters out of 881 registered.

Trish Cosey, judge of elections, said this is a surprisingly good turnout.

Rachel Pool, a poll worker, said she thinks the referendum questions brought a lot of voters out to cast their ballots.

-- Carley Bonk

Weighing in on proposed Constitutional amendments

Denise and Ed Gelsinger arrived at the Shady Grove Community Center just before 9 a.m., especially ready to vote on two of the proposed Constitutional amendments on the ballot.

They want to take power from the governor and place it more with the legislative body.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has been criticized by some for continuing to extend the disaster emergency declaration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The governor went too far," Denise Gelsinger said.

One proposed Constitutional amendment would allow the General Assembly to terminate or extend disaster emergency declarations without the governor's approval. A second says a disaster emergency declaration issued by the governor would expire after 21 days  — unless the General Assembly extends part or all of it through the passage of a concurrent resolution.

Also on the ballot are a third proposed Constitutional amendment that would guarantee equality of rights under the state law and a statewide referendum concerning loan eligibility for municipal fire and emergency medical service companies.

Because of those ballot questions, independent voters also can vote in this primary election.

And one of the early voters at Shady Grove, polling place for Antrim Township's third precinct, was an independent.

The parking lot wasn't full at 7 a.m. like it was for the presidential election in November, according to Jackie Greenawalt, judge of elections, but turnout was still steady with 54 Republicans and, three Democrats and that one independent by 8:45 a.m.

Election clerk Marcie Tinninnis said she heard one voter say they think the primary is the more important election.

And Fran Stoner, also a clerk, recalled a civics teacher saying how important it is to vote in local elections.

The winners are the people who will say how your towns and schools are run, they said.

-- Shawn Hardy

Reaching out to voters in Mercersburg

Tim Stanton, a Republican running for a seat on the Mercersburg Borough Council, was out Tuesday morning making one last pitch to voters. Stanton was stationed out in front of the poll at the MMP&W Fire and Ambulance Co. Activity Center. He cast his ballot in the morning as well. 

-- Dylan Jacobs

Voting 'to be a true American'

Connie Lazich, judge of elections at Grace United Church of Christ in Greencastle, termed voter turnout pretty good for an off-year election.

"Don't you think it's all the local stuff going on?" observed Connie Overcash, majority inspector at the polling place for Greencastle Ward 1.

Republican voters in Greencastle have an unusually high number of choices on their ballots, with 10 candidates for four seats on the Greencastle-Antrim School Board and five candidates for four seats on Greencastle Borough Council.

Elizabeth Moats was among the 50-plus Republicans to cast ballots at the church by shortly after 8 a.m.

The special needs 23-year-old said she is a "slow learner," but her dad, Gardner Moats, taught her about the candidates and was on hand to help her cast her ballot.

"We need to get new people in there ... it's time to change," she said, explaining she votes "to be a true American."

The father-and-daughter team is already looking ahead to next year, and the races for governor and Congress.

Democrats aren't seeing any local contested races, but can weigh in on state judicial posts and four ballot questions. Seven Democrats had voted by 8 a.m. at the Grace UCC poll.

-- Shawn Hardy

Turnout is light this morning

Few voters were at New Guilford Brethren in Christ Church when the polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Turnout for the last two primary elections, in 2019 and 2017, was about 25% and 15%, respectively.  

-- John Irwin

It's primary day in Pa.

Voters in Pennsylvania are casting their ballots today for the primary.

It is a closed primary, meaning that only voters who are registered Democratic or Republican may vote on candidates in their respective parties.

However, the ballot also will have four statewide questions, and voters of any party affiliation can vote on them.

They will be deciding on candidates for countywide offices, municipal leadership and school board directors.

In addition, a special election for the 48th state Senate seat is being held today. The district covers Lebanon and parts of Dauphin and York counties, and voters of any party affiliation can cast a ballot in that race as well.

Primary day information

When: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Are you registered? Find the status of your voter registration online at www.votespa.com. The deadline to register was May 3.

Voters may also use mail-in and absentee ballots. These ballots must be returned to the county elections office by 8 p.m. May 18. Postmarks do not count, unlike in the presidential election last year. You can still hand-deliver your ballot to the Franklin County Commissioners Office, 272 N. Second St., Chambersburg.

Voters must renew their request for a mail ballot annually or for each election.

Polling places: Find where you go to vote at pavoterservices.pa.gov.

COVID-19 guidelines: Franklin County voters are asked to bring their own blue or black pens to their polling place. Voters should also wear a mask and practice social distancing. Pens and masks, as well as hand sanitizer, will be available upon request. 

Four ballot questions open to all voters

Voters of any party affiliation will be able to cast a "yes" or "no" vote on four ballot questions. One is a statewide referendum, and three are proposed Constitutional amendments, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Here are the four:

Loan eligibility for municipal fire and emergency medical service companies 

Currently, municipal fire departments with paid personnel and emergency medical service companies are not eligible to apply for loans through an existing state loan program. A statewide referendum, if approved, would allow companies to apply for loans to replace outdated buildings, vehicles and equipment.

Termination or extension of disaster emergency declarations

The proposed Constitutional amendment would allow the General Assembly to terminate or extend disaster emergency declarations without the governor's approval.

Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, vetoed a resolution last summer that would have ended his COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration. The state Supreme Court determined that under the state Constitution, the resolution needed to go to the governor for approval.

Under the proposed change to Article III, Section 9, the General Assembly would be able to terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration through a resolution approved by a majority of the members of the House and Senate.

The proposal only applies to disaster emergency declarations issued by the governor.

Disaster emergency declaration and management

Another proposed Constitutional amendment also addresses emergency declarations.

In this one, a disaster emergency declaration issued by the governor would expire after 21 days  — unless the General Assembly extends part or all of it through the passage of a concurrent resolution. Currently, declarations are issued for 90 days.

The proposed change also would prohibit the governor from issuing a new disaster declaration — unless approved by the General Assembly — after the current one expires. 

If approved, it would add a new section to Article IV.

Prohibition against denial or abridgement of equal rights 

A proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution would guarantee equality of rights under the state law. 

If approved, it would prohibit state, county and local government entities from restricting or denying an individual's equal rights because of race or ethnicity.

The amendment could not be eliminated unless a judge found it unconstitutional or another Constitutional amendment is approved.

Who's on the ballot?

Local candidates appearing on the ballot vary depending on where a voter lives. Find the links for sample ballots on the Voter and Election Information page at franklincountypa.gov.

Statewide races

Voters will be selecting candidates for statewide judicial positions.

Justice of the Supreme Court

1 nomination, 10-year term

Kevin Brobson, Republican

Patricia A. McCullough, Republican

Maria McLaughlin, Democratic

Paula Patrick, Republican

Judge of the Superior Court

1 nomination, 10-year term

Jill Lipman Beck, Democratic  

Timika Lane, Democratic

Bryan Neft, Democratic

Megan Sullivan, Republican

Judge of the Commonwealth Court

2 nominations, 10-year term

Drew Crompton, Republican

Lori A. Dumas, Democratic

Amanda Green Hawkins, Democratic

David Lee Spurgeon, Democratic  

Sierra Street, Democratic  

Stacy Marie Wallace, Republican

-- Teresa Boeckel