Stage Is Set For April 24 Primary Election

Potter County Director of Elections Sandra Lewis reports that all is in place for the 2012 primary election on Tuesday, April 24. Polls in all voting districts open at 7 am and close at 8 pm. Only registered Republicans and Democrats are eligible to cast ballots. Like her counterparts across the state, Lewis had to scramble down the stretch as uncertainty lingered over state-ordered legislative reapportionment stemming from the 2010 census. That matter was not clarified until a court decision struck down the realignment and county directors of election were advised to proceed under the same district alignment that has been in place for more than a decade. As a result, all of Potter County remains in the 67th Legislative District and the 25th Senatorial District.

Also complicating the election process this year was the state’s new Voter ID law. Its provisions do not take effect until the November 2012 election, but local poll workers have been advised to ask for photo identification in the April 24 primary and advise voters that an approved photo ID will be required in the fall election. Director Lewis met recently with poll workers from each Potter County precinct to apprise them of the latest developments and prepare them for next week’s election.

Martin Causer is unopposed for the Republican nomination for another two-year term representing the 67th District in the Pa. House of Representatives. There are no candidates for the Democratic nod. Likewise, Republican Joe Scarnati is unopposed the party’s nomination to run for another four-year term representing the 25th District in the State Senate. The Democratic ballot is blank. Congressman Glenn Thompson, a Republican from Centre County, is running for another two-year term. He’s unopposed for the GOP nomination Tuesday. Running unopposed for the Democratic nomination is Charles Dumas, also from Centre County.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. faces opposition for the Democratic nomination from Joseph John Vodvarka of Allegheny County. Seeking the Republican nomination are David Alan Christian, Bucks County; Mark Scaringi, Cumberland; Steve D. Welch, Chester; Tom Smith, Armstrong; and Sam Rohrer, Berks. Other statewide offices on Tuesday’s ballot are: treasurer, Diana Irey Vaughn (R), Robert M. McCord (D); auditor general, Frank A. Pinto (R), John Maher (R), Eugene A. DePasquale (D); attorney general, David J. Freed (R), Kathleen G. Kane (D), Patrick Murphy (D).

President Barack Obama is running for re-election, unopposed for the Democratic nomination, and there are six candidates running for seven delegate seats at the Democratic National Convention. Republicans will choose from among Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum (withdrawn) for their Presidential nomination. There are six candidates for three Republican National Convention seats.

Poll workers will be asking all voters to show a photo identification when they show up to cast ballots on Tuesday. Those who do not produce one will still be able to vote this time, but in the November election a photo ID will be required. Acceptable forms of identification (expiration dates required) include:

• Photo IDs issued by the federal or state government, such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID
• Employee photo ID issued by the federal, state or county government
• College or university photo ID
• Photo ID card issued by a care facility