LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Luzerne County election officials said it's been a quiet day at the polls so far, both in terms of issues and voter turnout.
"It's important. Every election is important. I haven't missed a voting day in 50 years," Raymond Chalker said.
It was a quick, easy process for voters in Wilkes-Barre on this Election Day.
"Things are slow right now, but they're going to pick up. I see it's already getting better," Joe Padavan said.
This election, voters cast their ballots on electronic machines, something the county introduced in the past but reverted back to paper ballots for the primary.
"Just like that," said Chalker, with a snap of his fingers. "Really good. I hope they have it in the '24 election."
Luzerne County officials say they've been hard at work making sure Election Day ran smoothly after past problems at the polls, including a major paper shortage.
They say new policies and procedures were put in place this time around to avoid any repeat issues.
"Making sure we had everything, making sure there wasn't a problem this morning, felt really good," said Eryn Harvey, Luzerne County elections director.
It was also a top priority for Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo. She says she applied for her role because of the voting issues within the county.
"I want to get it right. I'm very proud of Luzerne County. And we are absolutely on the right track," Crocamo said.
Officials say municipal elections are harder to run than presidential years, with 186 polling sites across the county.
But without the presidential vote up in the air, volunteers and voters say it's one of the slowest election days they've seen.
"If you have the right, you should be out here voting," Padavan said.
"I feel like it's important to come and vote because everybody talks about how they want change in the city, but then they don't come out," Brittany Starek said.
Ward 4, which holds one of the largest number of voters in Wilkes-Barre, only had 25 people turn out by noon.
Polls are open until 8 p.m.