Chester County Polls 'Slow And Steady' On Primary Election Day

TREDYFFRIN TWP, PA —There was no lunchtime rush to vote in the Chester County primary today at the Valley Forge Elementary School.

A steady flow of voters trickled into the school to cast their ballots for candidates in the races for governor and U.S. senator and the 6th congressional district, which includes all of Chester County and a portion of southern Berks.

By early afternoon, nearly 300 votes were cast at the elementary school.

There are 156,127 registered Democrats in Chester County and 151,222 registered Republicans. There are also 45,147 voters with no affiliation and 22,1417 with other unidentified groups.

There is one local heated race with four candidates competing for the Republican nomination to run against incumbent Democrat Chrissy Houlahan, Easttown Township.

The candidates running in the Republican primary for a seat in 6th district are Regina Mauro, Guy Ciarricchi, both or Tredyffrin; Ron Vogel of Chester Springs, and Steve Fanelli of West Chester.

“It’s a little slow, because a lot of people already mailed in their ballots,” Rosemary Kait, a Democrat committee member checking in voters. “It’s been slow and steady.”

Kait questioned why the elections are still always on Tuesdays, noting it dates back to 19th century when Tuesday voters were agrarian, and a full day for travel to polls was necessary.

Sally Mininger, a Republican on the ballot for a committee member, was seated next to Kait, also checking in voters.

The Rev. John Bletsch, pastor at St. Matthews United Methodist Church, was inside the elementary school gym operating the machines where voters placed their ballots.

“We are nonpartisan,” Bletsch said. “We are making sure the operations for the elections are running smoothly.”