Politics & Government

Primary Election Day Is Here

Today's your day to go to the polls and make your voice heard. Three cheers for democracy in action!

Today, May 17, is Primary Election Day--the day to make your choice for local officials, such as school board members who decide how your hard-earned tax dollars will be spent.

Polls statewide will be open from 7am to 8pm.

In Pennsylvania, primary elections are “closed,” meaning you must be registered as a Republican to vote for Republican candidates, or as a Democrat to vote for Democratic candidates. Voters registered as Independent can only vote on ballot questions (such as Northampton County’s Gracedale nursing home question) in this election. Some candidates are cross-filed, meaning they will appear on both the Republican and Democratic primary ballots.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

--Susan Baxter (incumbent), Michael Karabin (incumbent), Sharon Stack (incumbent), Charles Bartolet (incumbent), Jeanne Reilly, Robert Phillips and Bryan Eichfeld--are all cross-filed. The seats on the school board carry four-year terms.

In Hellertown, Democratic candidates Richard Staffieri (incumbent), John Bate (incumbent) and Joseph Pampanin are on the ballot for three open seats on Hellertown Borough Council. The seats on borough council come with four-year terms.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Finally, in Lower Saucon Township, Republican Lower Saucon Township Council Vice President Thomas Maxfield and incumbent Democratic council member Priscilla deLeon are on the ballot along with Democratic newcomer David Willard.

Northampton County voters--including independent voters--will also be asked about --a question that has divided Northampton County Council and produced several protracted court cases earlier this year.

The question which appears on the Northampton County ballot is phrased thus: "The county nursing home, known as Gracedale, shall not be sold and/or leased by the County of Northampton for a period of five (5) years from the date of the approval of this initiative. Yes or No." 

In the Saucon Valley, polling will take place at the following stations:

HELLERTOWN BOROUGH:

  • First Ward: , 1375 Third Ave.
  • Second Ward: , 735 Delaware Ave.
  • Third Ward: , 323 Northampton St.

LOWER SAUCON TOWNSHIP:

  • District 1 (Hellertown): , school board meeting room
  • District 2 (Leithsville): , 1995 Leithsville Road
  • District 3 (Lower Saucon): (Old Schoolhouse), corner of Mockingbird Hill Road and Easton Road
  • District 4 (Seidersville): , 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike
  • District 5 (Shimersville): , 2121 Riverside Drive
  • District 6 (Wassergass): , 2687 Wassergass Road
  • Districts 7 and 8: , 3621 Old Philadelphia Pike 

Additional information about polling places in Northampton County may be found here.

If you are new to the area, or simply unsure about where you must vote, the Pennsylvania Department of State website features a "Find Your Polling Place" online lookup tool.

If you encounter problems voting (such as voting machines that malfunction), let us know. You may email us at Josh.Popichak@Patch.com.

Patch will report local election results as soon as they become available. Check back tonight for updates after the polls close.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here