PENNSYLVANIA – Voters across Pennsylvania headed to the polls this morning for Election Day, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. Anyone still waiting in line when polls close at 8 p.m. has the right to cast their ballot.
Lackawanna County: Key Local Battles
In Lackawanna County, two special elections are taking center stage to fill unexpired terms for County Commissioner and County Clerk of Judicial Records. Both unexpired terms run until early January 2028.
The race for Scranton Mayor is also highly competitive, featuring a crowded field:
Incumbent Mayor Paige Cognetti (Democrat)
Republican challenger Patricia Beynon (Accounting Executive)
Independent challengers Eugene Barrett (former Scranton Sewer Authority Executive Director) and Rik Little
Judicial Retention and the Supreme Court Majority
One of the most consequential issues on every ballot involves judicial retention questions. Voters must decide whether to retain individual judges across the state, including:
State Supreme Court Justices: Whether Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht (all elected as Democrats) will serve another term. Reelecting all three would maintain the court's current 5-2 Democratic majority. Defeating all three could leave the court in a partisan 2-2 deadlock for two years, potentially impacting crucial rulings on election laws in the lead-up to next year's midterm elections.
County Common Pleas Court: Voters will also decide on retaining Judge Andy Jarbola for an additional 10-year term.
Luzerne County Polling Changes
Voters in Luzerne County should note three polling location changes since the May primary election:
Kingston Borough Ward 5: Now at Kingston Central Fire Dept., 600 Wyoming Ave. (Moved from the Kingston VFW).
Plains Township Ward 2 & Ward 4: Both are now at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Bernardine Hall, 13 Hudson Road. (Ward 2 moved from the parish center, Ward 4 moved from the township firehouse).
Voters unsure of their ward or district can verify their information using the state’s registration database at pavoterservices.pa.gov. County Council, municipal, and school district races are also on the ballot.
Voter Information
Only first-time voters or those voting for the first time at a new precinct must show identification. Approved forms include a Pennsylvania driver's license, U.S. passport, or student ID.
Anyone experiencing issues at the polls should immediately call their county's elections department.
