Judge, school board races big draws for primary election
A modest, but consistent, stream of voters trickled into voting precincts across Butler County Tuesday morning to cast votes for their candidates of choice in the 2021 primary election.
The morning voters came in waves to the Middlesex Township Building, according to Valarie Kennedy, who was there volunteering for Mars School Board candidate Vicki Esswein.
“It usually starts slow and then picks up as the day goes on,” said Kennedy, who has been volunteering on election days for 10 years. “It's been a good mix today of all different ages. And the nice weather has been helping.”
The race for Mars Area School Board seemed to be the big draw Tuesday morning, as several candidates stood in front of the township building to greet and meet with voters.
“I've got three kids, two in school, so that was the important one for me,” resident Dan Mahan said after casting his vote.
In Evans City, one or two voters at a time trickled in and out of the firehall late in the morning. Third-term Mayor Dean Zinkhann sat in front of the hall all morning and thought turnout had been pretty good.
“I think there's been more turnout today, especially for a primary,” Zinkhann said. “It's been a near constant flow of people.”
The race for district judge between Joe McCombs and Amy Marcinkiewicz was on voters' minds as they cast their ballots. Voters Karen Wright and Amy Schweinegruber both said that race was the main one that brought them out.“People are interested in Joe because he's from here,” Zinkhann said.Around lunchtime, the pace slowed at the North Main Street Church of God in Butler.“It's been about normal,” said Sue Edwards, who volunteered for judge candidate and county District Attorney Richard Goldinger. “It always gets a little slow around lunch.”The race for Butler County Court of Common Pleas judge between Goldinger and Joseph Kubit as well as the vote for Butler Area School Board drew people to the polls Tuesday.“I think people are interested in judge,” Edwards said. “And the school board is always important.”It was a similar story up the road at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunset Drive. There were scarce voters pulling into the parking lot as Kubit volunteer Lee Montgomery left for lunch.“There's been constant turnout,” Montgomery said. “Nobody is lined up out the door, but cars are coming in and out.”
Aside from local races, the other issue on Tuesday's ballots were three proposed constitutional amendments and one state referendum.The first two amendment proposals dealt with limiting the governor's power to declare an emergency disaster and were a popular topic among voters.In Middlesex, Mahan said he agrees with the proposals.“I like the idea of having the legislature involved,” Mahan said. “It's a more diverse body than just one person.”At Trinity Lutheran, Pamela Snyder saw it the other way.“Everything would be in litigation forever,” Snyder said. “We need one person to be able to make decisions fast. When you have a group of people, nothing gets done.”In Evans City, Wright said she was glad she took the time to learn about the amendments beforehand so they were not confusing when she was at the ballot.“I think the amendments are very important,” Wright said. “I studied for a week so I could understand them.”Wright said she makes sure to cast her vote in every election, no matter who or what is on the ballot.“It's the only time of the year people listen to me,” she said, with a laugh.
