With partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 50s, nearly 40 percent of eligible Schuylkill County voters hit the polls Tuesday.
Out of 76,664 eligible voters in the county, Frannie Brennan, county Election Bureau executive director, said 29,522, or 38.51 percent, were at the polls Tuesday. Brennan said the number includes absentee ballots. All results are unofficial until certified by the county Election Board.
She said 1,376 applied for absentee ballots and there were 1,193 returned and counted. Military voters have until next week to return their ballots.
There were 125 voting precincts throughout the county this year. About 32 percent of voters registered with the two major parties turned out for last year's primary elections. However, there were more eligible voters. Out of 84,725 voters registered, 26,866 voters turned out, Brennan told The Republican-Herald last year.
There were 125 voting precincts in the county this year. All polling places closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
About 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, a representative at voting area 7-2, Life Centre Foursquare Church in Pottsville, said that about 300 of 1,000 voters already showed up at the polls Tuesday and that they've seen a greater percentage of Republicans coming out to vote than Democrats.
Voting at the church Tuesday were William and Dorothy Elison, Pottsville.
"We always come out to vote but we think it's time for a change," Dorothy Elison said.
Her husband added that their primary reason for voting was what is going on in Harrisburg.
"There has to be something done there," he said. "It's just ridiculous the amount of legislators we have and it has to be cut down."
Joseph Murton Jr., Pottsville, also at the church Tuesday, said he came out to the polls since it was his civic duty and he wanted to try and keep Tim Holden in Congress.
Gerry and Lorraine Spotts, Pottsville, said they were at the church Tuesday for the simple reason that they wanted to vote.
"I think this election coming up is going to be very crucial," Gerry Spotts said. "It's probably the biggest since when FDR got in."
Tuesday's election served as a trial run for the state's new voter ID law. Signed into law March 14, the legislation requires voters to show photo identification before voting in the November election. On Tuesday, voters were asked to bring photo identification, but it wasn't a requirement to vote. They were also given information about how to get proper identification before the law goes into effect at the next election.
"A lot of people knew about it and we gave out handouts for next time," Brennan said. "There were very few people who didn't know about it."
Brennan said the counting process went smoothly Tuesday night.
"We had a lot of third party members calling in asking if they could vote," Brennan said. "That was our biggest problem."
County Commissioner George F. Halcovage was also on scene while the election bureau was tallying votes.
"I have to say that our team in the election bureau did an absolutely phenomenal job," county Commissioner George F. Halcovage said. "People were very understanding and by doing it they way we did, when it is time for the General Election people will be prepared and know what to expect."