20-05-2025
Turnout light across Lackawanna County for primary
SCRANTON — Voter turnout in Lackawanna County started slow Tuesday morning. But, voters who turned out said they were passionate about issues and candidates.
Rebecca Panunzio of Dunmore said she votes every year because every vote counts. 'It matters,' she said. 'It matters for the children, myself. We have a right to vote.'
Panunzio pointed out issues such as street maintenance and taxes are driven by local government.
A Republican, Panunzio said in the long run, she casts her vote for the best candidate and not for their party affiliation.
Dunmore poll worker Gert Bolick has been at her post for over 30 years. The day started out slowly, said said, but often people come out to vote on their lunch hour or after work.
'Primary elections generally have a low turnout,' she said. 'But, its hard to predict.'
Jennifer Valvano, also a poll worker in Dunmore, is in her second year in the position. She was surprised that last year, during the presidential race, people who didn't regularly vote, came out.
'Many of them said, they only come out every four years,' Valvano said. 'I actually think local races are more important.'
Bill Pilkonis, a judge of elections working at the Scranton High School polling location, said voter turnout might be low, but is higher than expected.
He estimated that instead of the historic 20% turnout, there may be up to 35% of voters showing up at the polls.
Part of that bump, he believes is in response to current national issues, which bring out voters even at the local level.
As of 1 p.m., there were no issues regarding voting across the county, according to the county election department.
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