Pocono News Section

Primary Election Day 2009 Underway

Primary Election Day 2009 Underway - Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 11:36AM EST

The 2009 Pennsyvania Primary Election is underway. Voters are deciding several key races throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Today's election is devoid of any major state or national races -- but interest is high for a couple of key contests in our area.
The race on everyone's mind in Luzerne County is the contest for two seats on the Court of Common Pleas.

Voters turn out at an Avoca polling place found 17 names on the ballot for Luzerne County Judge. They can choose two candidates. One of those is Michael Conahan’s seat. He had retired last year and was replaced temporarily by Judge Musto, who is seeking the seat permanently. Also up for grabs is President Judge Chester Muroski’s seat. He is retiring later this year.

Not appearing on this ballot are the seats once occupied by Judge Mark Ciavarella and Judge Ann Lokuta. Lokuta’s seat is still tangled up in appeals and Ciavarella’s resignation from the bench came too late to appear on this year’s ballot.

Christine Dunn is among the voters who must sift through a sea of candidates' names. "There were a lot of people running and I didn't really know who I was supposed to vote for," she said.

For others, it's an easier decision. Bill Jumper said, "I pretty much had decided before I got here, so. It's just a matter of finding the names."

In Scranton, a steady stream of voters turned out at Keyser Valley Community Center. The big race on the Electric City's ballot is for mayor.

Incumbent Democrat Chris Doherty is seeking a third term -- without his party's official backing. Instead, challenger Gary DiBileo got the Democratic Party endorsement. It's a rematch from four years ago when Doherty defeated DiBileo in the primary and went on to win in November.

Bob Bolus is the only candidate on the Republican ballot although Doherty is staging a G. O.P. write-in campaign.

Helene Hughes was first in line to cast her ballot at Keyser Valley Community Center. "I think you're going to see more people in this election than you've seen in a very long time. I think people want change," she said.

That feeling here is shared by the Judge of Elections in this part of West Scranton. John Fletcher said, "It's a local election with much interest, I think. I think it's going to be a heavy turnout myself. I cannot see people staying home, today."

The polls are open until 8:00 tonight. Eyewitness News will bring you Election Day coverage tonight starting at 5:00.

And remember to watch your vote count with continued coverage throughout the evening after the polls close -- plus all the key results tonight on Eyewitness News at 11 and here at PAHomePage. com.