The county Democratic and Republican committee heads and everyday voters are looking forward to the Primary Election on Tuesday, even though the winning candidates are all but certain.

Catherine Lalonde, Democratic committee chairwoman, said she has had quite a few calls from those asking about the delegates on the ballot, as Sen. Bernie Sanders, who dropped out of the race April 8, has five and the presumed candidate, Joe Biden, only has one.

She said she was told all the Sanders delegates will go for Biden.

“I think there's no doubt that Joe Biden will be the candidate (in the general election),” Lalonde said.

She said the coronavirus pandemic has had a definite effect on the primary.

“A lot of people chose to vote by mail,” Lalonde said. “It's unfortunate, but the pandemic hit in the first year (Pennsylvanians) can vote by mail.”

She said while the county Bureau of Elections struggled with so many incoming ballots, it has handled the job well. According to the bureau, 12,761 county residents have requested remote ballots with 12,155 already completed and sent back.

“By November, the process will be smoother and the election bureau will be ready,” Lalonde said.

She and her family voted via mail-in ballot, Lalonde said.

She waved off the fear of problems with mail-in voting, as the election bureau ensures that each registered voter submits only one ballot.

“You can't just keep getting ballots and sending them in,” Lalonde said.

She hopes those who go to the polls will be safe.

“Even if you feel you are going to be fine, others have the right not to be made ill by you,” Lalonde said. “I hope that people vote, wear their masks and be careful.”

She said she doesn't think voters will be confused by the appearance of names on the ballot of candidates who dropped out of the race after the deadline to have their name placed on the ballot. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Tulsi Gabbard remain on the Democratic ballot.

Al Lindsay, chairman of the county Republican committee, said an increase in mail-in ballots is the pandemic's main effect on the primary.

“Beyond that, there's not much of a significant difference in the outcome of the election,” he said.

Lindsay said many Republicans are concerned with the integrity of the mail-in ballot system.

Others, like himself, feel going to the polls is a social occasion where voters can greet familiar poll workers and neighbors alike.

“I'm an older voter and I'm going to the poll,” Lindsay said. “It wouldn't seem like an election if we didn't go there.”

He agreed with Lalonde that having other candidates' names on the ballot — Roque “Rocky” De La Fuenta and Bill Weld will appear alongside President Donald Trump — will not hurt the presumed candidate's chances.

“I think people either like Trump or don't like Trump and I think that's what the election will be about,” Lindsay said.

Shoppers at the busy Butler Farm Market on Thursday also had observations on the pandemic's effect on the 2020 Primary Election.

“I believe (the virus) is going to be a less important issue as we go,” said Frank Voelker of Zelienople. He said if there were an effect, it would be in state and local races because the two presidential candidates are shoo-ins.

“There might be a larger effect in Pennsylvania because the governor's reaction to the pandemic is more controversial,” Voelker said.

Norm Young of Franklin Township feels many voters who did not request a mail-in ballot will stay home Tuesday rather than risk a case of COVID-19.

“I think people are going to be afraid,” he said.

The presumption that no one but Trump and Biden will win the primary also will cause a lower turnout, Voelker predicted.

Teresa Kennedy of Connoquenessing said she will vote in person.

“But I think some people will be afraid to go,” Kennedy said.

The polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 8 p.m.