Malvern Voter Turnout Not As Low As It Appears

MALVERN, PA — Voter turnout may appear to be lower with more mail-in ballots in the picture, but the Malvern-based judge of elections reports said actually voter turnout is much busier than it was four years ago.

Hugo Schmitt compares this election to the same primary election in 2018, the race for governor, U.S. senator and house.

“It’s much busier than it was four years ago,” Schmitt said, noting in Chester County the results have to dropped off after the polls close at 8 at the County Services Center, West Chester.

As of 4 p.m, there were a total 451 voters who had cast ballots and the parking lot was filled at the Malvern Arts Center in the First Baptist Church of Malvern, 146 Channing Ave.

In addition, 234 Democrats and 82 Republicans requested mail-in ballots, Schmitt said.

There are 2,231 registered Republicans and Democrats.

Republican and Democrat volunteers set up tents outside, greeting voters as they arrived.

Jennifer Chomko, who lives nearby the polls, said she is a strong supporter of Republican candidate Kathy Barnett for U.S. senator and Steve Fanelli for the 6th congressional district, and Gail Newman for state House.

“Steve is amazing,” Chomko said. “He’s a businessman and he’s raising a family.”

Democrat Marty Laney, a borough council member, said at the local level it is bipartisan.

“You have to talk to your neighbors,” Laney said. “We all face the same issues. We are all Americans.”