In PA's Lehigh Valley, high voter turnout is 'shocking polls workers'

[pgodbold]

A morning encouragement for us.


"Voter turnout is reportedly higher than normal, shocking polls workers across the Lehigh Valley area who were not expecting much interest in races for key positions like senator in Washington, D.C., and governor in Harrisburg.

In Allentown's mostly Democratic 7th Ward, Gus Kruz, the judge of elections, was seeing high interest in voting already a few minutes after polls opened at 7 a.m. Although not a large district, a dozen people had already voted in the 7th Ward by 7:15 a.m. At that point, Kruz couldn't predict if more Democrats would come out than Republicans.

The same was true in Bethlehem's 15th ward, 2nd district at the Education Center on Sycamore St. There' Craig Hynes, judge of elections, said he's seen crisp turnout. By 7:45 a.m., 66 voters had cast ballots despite mechanical problems with two of three machines, including one that had to be placed prior to the polls opening."

Full story: http://www.americablog.com/2010/11/in-pas-lehigh-valley-high-voter-turnout.html

[tavalon]

1. Oops, someone forgot to warn the poll workers that the enthusiasm gap

is pure propaganda crap. In other words, a lie.

[FSogol]

2. I rec'ed the post, wish I could rec your response.

:toast:

[tavalon]

3. It is such a rarely used word in politics - lie, I mean

They do it all the time, but to say it, oh my, it gives them vapors!

[DarthDem]

4. Ooooooh

Come on, Joe - - TAKE THIS THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hayu_lol]

7. I hope that in the smaller rural precincts...

the poll workers will keep track of the number of registered voters in those precincts and compare with the number of ballots cast.

The Ohio system of screwing the works.

[drm604]

5. K&R for my state!

:kick:

[Wounded Bear]

6. Here in WA, the SoS is predicting 65% turnout...

Highest since the 70's.

We have VBM in most counties, of course, so a lot of them are already in, including mine. :)

High turnout could belie the whole "enthusiasm gap" meme that the media has been pimping trying to discourage voters.

[hayu_lol]

9. Oregon and Washington both have...

vote by mail. Has been great for turnout in all elections and no real problems of any kind.

The rest of the country prefers dishonest voting practices obviously.

***Republicans in Oregon hate mail only voting. That tell you anything?

[DarthDem]

10. Quick Dumb Question

I should know this, but in Washington, is it mail-only like Oregon? Or just an option like in California (which is what we did down here in SoCal)? I thought it was the latter but some recent comments about WA have made me wonder if I've missed a few clues.

[Qutzupalotl]

14. Most counties in WA are vote-by-mail.

Kings county is the notable exception, IIRC. I'll let someone from WA correct me if I'm wrong. Here in OR we're expecting 72% turnout, all vote-by-mail. We love it.

[Wounded Bear]

15. I live in King county....it's 100% VBM

Pierce County is not IIRC. They may have the option, but I don't know for sure.

King is the largest county, population-wise, containing Seattle. It is mostly blue, of course, except for Reichert, may he go down in flames. At least this time, his opponent's house didn't burn down a couple of weeks before the election.

[DarthDem]

19. Thanks, Both

I decided not to be so lazy and looked it up. 38 of the 39 counties in WA are VBM, with Pierce County (Tacoma) the only exception for some reason, just as you said. So there we go. It's a great system.

[BootinUp]

8. Lived there for a couple years

Lehigh Valley leans conservative, but this sounds like a good omen.

[liberalhistorian]

11. Here in our little SD reservation town, voter turnout

is quite heavy so far with a high number of Indian voters. That is definitely good news for Dems, especially in our tight congressional race since Indians support the Dem congresswoman very heavily (and rightfully so, since the challenger, Kristi Noem, knows nothing about, and cares even less, Indian issues on both the state and federal level. In a state such as this one it is critical for federal reps to have knowledge of such things and she doesn't even have a rudimentary understanding, nor does she care to).

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

17. God, I hope Steph pulls that out

Just like Earl Pomeroy to the North, they are running against some real sleazy opponents.

[RaleighNCDUer]

12. Gee, imagine what it would be like if we weren't all so discouraged. nt

[old mark]

13. We voted at 10:50 this morning, only numbers 82 and 83, but this is

largely a working class area, and most people are at work by 7 AM when the polls open - the big turnout should start after 3:30, last till 8 PM when the polls here in PA close.

We are in Muhlenberg Township (Hyde Park) in Berks County, near Reading, PA...a bit over 30 miles from Allentown.
ADDED Berks county is usually Democratic...heavy turnout would favor us.

Rec.
mark

[Philly219]

16. I voted

I voted by absentee ballot in Bucks County, Pa. My daughter voted this morning - both straight democrat.

[DiverDave]

22. Welcome Philly219

Thanks for the help, and stick around,
there are alot of smart folks here.
Thats how I discribe this place.
But with an added "smarter then me" lol

[Philly219]

23. Thanks for the welcome

Although its a sad day for America, the folks on this website have lifted my spirits with
their enthusaism and optimism. We'll take over in 2012 - But it will be like Krazy Glue
in Washington for 2 more years.

And DiverDave - I haven't been lurking long enough to know your posts, but I'm sure you're
smart - You're a Democrat aren't you? :)

[Doctor_J]

18. I am not sure this is good

My deep red precinct was crowded too. The teabaggers are really fired up

[noel711]

20. This could go two opposite ways...

I live in a rural area outside Bethlehem PA, and work in Allentown.

When I went to vote... twasn't much different than usual,
except.. they were meticulous with checking my name, and it's spelling.
Usually, I walked in and they greeted me by name: the judges are our
local neighbors, just like the census worker was.
But today.. "Name? How do you spell it?"
And, checked my signature against a xerox of when I voted last.
Curious.

My church is a voting site, but apparently not too many showed up.
NOt as many as the presidential election.
But this could go two ways:
Allentown and Bethlehem are urban centers, racially diverse,
with a blue collar and upwardly mobile college educated population.
Two years ago, despite the Morning Call (local newspaper) polling
strongly republican, the area went for Obama.

The fly in the ointment: Toomey is a local guy;
used to own the bar down the street from my church.
People think he's a 'good guy.'
And don't try to discuss politics with them.
He's a neighbor.

The question is: does this 'good guy neighbor'
override the political persuasion of the city?

[bighughdiehl]

21. I just voted

My west end Allentown polling place had just a trickle of activity at all.
THen again, I am in one of the least densely populated neighborhoods, who knows.