WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE CO. (WOLF) — Voters across Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties headed to the polls for the primary election for a wide range of reasons, while officials reported light turnout across several polling locations in the late morning and early afternoon.
By late morning, election officials reported a slow start at the polls. At Ward 6 inside Hoyt Library in Luzerne County, turnout reached just 58 voters by 11 a.m. Poll workers said numbers were lower than usual but hoped turnout would climb into the 200s later in the day.
In Lackawanna County, the Dunmore Community Center also saw a lighter turnout Tuesday afternoon.
Judge of Elections in Dunmore, Rich Banick said he believed fewer contested races on the ballot may have contributed to the slower voter participation.
“It’s pretty light. Usually, like a presidential election, there’ll be people waiting at the door, Iike line of them. And today there was only one guy at the door, and usually right in the beginning, we get a lot. And then today we had just a few trickle in. I think we’re at about 50 right now. It should pick up during lunch and after lunch. But it’s really light right now,” said Banick.
“There’s not really much on the ballot, number one. And even then, there’s really not much to vote for. So, people just tend to not come out for it. Hopefully in the fall it’ll matter because there are some elections like that do count where there will be a Republican and a Democrat running,” said Banick.
Also, commenting on the voter turnout in Lackawanna County, Director of Elections Elizabeth Hopkins said “the turnout seems to be very light today.”
Voters across polling locations said rising costs, including housing and everyday bills, were key reasons they headed to the polls. Another issue that stood out for some voters: data centers.
Luzerne County voter Ashley Purington explained what motivated her to cast her ballot.
“I try to vote for in pretty much all the elections, including, primaries, local things like that. And it’s my duty as a citizen,” said Purinton.
“Currently my two biggest issues I’m concerned about, is the environment, especially with like, the data center stuff going on. In Archbald, I’ve been watching a lot of their board meetings, and things like that. And also, everything keeps getting more expensive. So, I’m concerned about making things more affordable for us common folk here,” said Purinton.
At the Kingston Recreation Center, where Purinton voted, turnout in three Luzerne County districts stood at 72, 75, and 94 voters around 2 p.m.
Banick said voter turnout appeared low, noting that some parts of Lackawanna County typically see turnout in the low hundreds for the primary.
“It’s surprising how many people don’t vote. When you see that we have about a thousand people that could vote in our district, and only maybe like for the presidential election will get up high in this seven, eight hundred, maybe higher. But most of the time, I think it’s down in the three hundreds,” said Banick.
“But also, with the send-in voting, advance voting. The numbers coming in the door are down,” said Banick.
Officials said voter turnout has varied across polling locations throughout the day.