Voters across Erie County headed to the polls on Tuesday for Pennsylvania’s primary election.
Voters we spoke with said they felt this election was an important opportunity to make their voices heard.
Throughout the day here at various locations, voters came through to cast their ballots, with many expressing a mix of concern and hope about the future.
When polls opened, voters in Erie County made their way to polling locations to take part in Pennsylvania’s primary election.
WATCH: Jozef Korzeniewski live as voting begins in Erie County
Many voters said issues like the economy, public safety, education and the direction of government helped motivate them to head to the polls, with some missing only a handful of elections in their lifetime.
“Ever since I turned 21, I’ve been voting. I’ve only missed one general election and I’ve missed not only a handful of primaries,” Judith Himrod, who voted.
Most of the voters we spoke to on Tuesday said that they don’t feel like just a number; they feel like their vote actually matters, as this May primary election helps set up the elections in November.
“I think everybody, I don’t think it’s a secret, about how, you know, different the political affiliations are kind of going back and forth, so right now I think it’s probably one of the most times in my lifetime to vote,” said John Scheppner, another voter.
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“It’s what we have, it’s one of our rights that we felt and we elect the people we want to run our country and our city,” Himrod told us.
While voters had different priorities heading into today’s election, many we spoke with shared a similar message when asked what they hope elected leaders take away from the results.
“More people are keeping an eye on these, I don’t want to say low lying elections, but you know, not so popular elections. But you know by more of us coming out compared to prior years, they’re going to realize we’re listening to what you’re saying and we’re watching what you’re doing,” Scheppner went on to say.
Mayor Devlin joins senior citizens for EMTA’s Election Day service
Polls remain open until 8 pm Tuesday night, with election officials reminding voters that anyone in line by that deadline will still be allowed to cast a ballot
While voters had different priorities heading into Tuesday’s election, many we spoke with shared a similar message when asked what they hope elected leaders take away from the results
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