Primary election receives secondary attention from Fayette residents
For the past seven decades, Barbara Karosik has exercised her right to vote, casting her first ballot for Dwight Eisenhower. On Tuesday, she was as enthusiastic to head to the polls as she was that first time in 1953.
“It’s election day. It’s primary day. It’s the most important election because you’re getting the people on the ballot that you want,” the 91-year-old woman said after casting her ballot at the Perryopolis Borough Building.
While Fayette County Elections Director Mary Beth Kuznik didn’t have any exact figures Tuesday afternoon, she said staff at polling places throughout the county indicated a low turnout.
“I wish people would come out, it’s an important election,” she said.
George Lievean of Connellsville, who voted at Calvary Assembly of God in Connellsville, said he’s not surprised at the low turnout.
“It seems people only care when it’s a national election, but don’t realize how important races like this are for the local people. It’s a shame,” he said.
This primary features several contested races, including for the office of recorder of deeds post. Incumbent Jon Marietta Jr. and Christina Becker are both vying for the Republican nomination. The other contested countywide race is for the Democratic nomination for jury commissioner, where incumbent Trinette Schmidt-Cunningham is being challenged by Coreyann Fluker.
As for which candidate or issue is the most important on this election cycle’s ballot, Cynthia Sztorion of Perryopolis had a simple answer.
“All of them,” Sztorion said. “It’s our freedom to vote, and I appreciate that about this country.”
And while some are celebrating a lifelong commitment to voting, for Perryopolis resident Gerald Farkas, this primary may just be his last.
“I don’t think I’m going to be able to vote in these much longer. I think I’m going to go independent from now on,” Farkas said.
Pennsylvania stands out as one of only 10 states with a closed primary system, meaning that only registered Democrats and Republicans are eligible to participate in their party’s spring elections.
Voters who are unaffiliated with a major party can still vote on statewide referenda, local initiatives and special elections that coincide with the primary ballots.
Farkas, who said he’s been a Republican most of his life, is considering switching parties because he believes the national party is ignoring the average American.
“We’ve lost our way from the original republic – it’s not like that anymore. I don’t have no use for (Republicans). They don’t vote for what’s right or what’s good for the country, they vote to impress each other,” Farkas said. “I think a lot of people are just disgusted with everything now. Everything.”
In regards to the low turnout, Perryopolic voter Joanne Torruiso thinks it’s pretty clear what the younger generation needs to do to participate in primary elections.
“Wake up! They need to open their eyes and their ears and see what is really going on and really listen to what is going on,” she said.