LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Voter turnout throughout parts of our area seemed slow by Tuesday afternoon, several elections officials say — wholly unsurprising for a primary, despite the presence of a contested state house race in Luzerne County and a ballot question in Shamokin.
Meanwhile, The U.S. Department of Justice said Tuesday that Luzerne is one of three counties in the region they're monitoring to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws. The others were Berks and Philadelphia counties.
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment, and the brief announcement did not elaborate why Luzerne was selected for monitoring.
However, it comes after several polling places in the county ran out of ballot paper during the November 2022 general election. In May 2023, a Hunlock Township polling place temporarily ran out of paper.
Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo said there were no major issues to report Tuesday.
As polls opened Tuesday in Luzerne County, voters expressed excitement at the crowded field jockeying for the position state Rep. Aaron Kaufer is vacating in the 120th district, which covers parts of the Back Mountain and the west side of the Wyoming Valley.
Two Democrats and three Republicans are competing.
In Northumberland County, voters in Shamokin are weighing in on the possible formation of a government study commission tasked with considering a home rule charter.
Officials in the Northumberland County elections office reported that Shamokin precincts relayed voting had been slow.
Lackawanna County likewise reported seeing a sedate turnout.
"Very, very quiet" said Beth Hopkins, Lackawanna County Elections Director. "I would think that November will be much more busy."
