Local races were on the ballot on Pennsylvania’s Primary Tuesday and by closing time, 300 voters had cast their ballots, according to Mike Ondra, judge of elections at the New Tripoli Fire Hall.

“Typically, primaries have low turnouts,” Ondra said. “Presidential elections draw the biggest turnout, but primaries draw less than the general.”

Ondra spent the entire day at the polling place.

“I make sure it’s a safe place for people to vote and address voter’s special conditions,” he said.

Registered voters were welcomed throughout the day, but by 8 p.m. the doors were closed and the primaries were over.

“We close the polls down according to the directions we’re given,” said poll worker Annie Hungaski.

Hungaski has been a poll worker since 2017 because she wants to contribute to her community.

“Polling places are struggling to find workers,” she said. “I was the majority inspector today. I was monitoring voters at the voting machines. I’m there to answer questions or explain how machines work if anyone asks.”

Primaries have been part of the political process since the 1920s. According to the website, Rock the Vote, “[primaries] are an integral part of the democratic process, allowing citizens to actively participate in shaping the political landscape and exercising their right to choose their preferred candidates.”

“School board is one of the very important positions we vote for in the primaries,” Ondra explained. The four candidates seeking a spot-on Northwestern Lehigh’s school board included Jennifer Senavaitis, Todd Hernandez, Rebecca Hite and Lauren Hunsicker.

Some residents opted to vote early.

“We know the people who voted by mail,” Ondra said. “They send us as many ballots as there are registered voters. If you surrender your mail in ballot, then you can vote here.”

According to the Pa. Department of State, “anecdotal reports indicate turnout was typical for primary elections.”