Smooth voting at the polls

Although reports of fraud and intimidation have been frequent in the Philadelphia area, voting in Lawrence County today has gone smoothly and quietly. While waits of up to a half-hour have been common, voters have been friendly and patient. Says a lot about our county.

An American tradition

Land of the free!

Nearly 1,000 and counting

A total of 996 voters have cast their ballots in Shenango Township. — K.W.

All machines taken

All the touch-screen machines at the Shenango Municipal Building are taken shortly after 4 p.m. People are waiting to cast their vote. Reporter Carol Colaizzi talked with elections judge Kay Lutz and learned that 976 people have voted with 88 absentee ballots cast.

Work fashion

The lines are growing again in Shenango. It's fun to see all the voters coming in with their work clothes. — K.W.

Don't whine ...

Peggy Matteo of Shenango Township wears a T-shirt that shows her Election Day spirit as she came out to vote.

More than 900 and counting

According to judge of elections Kay Lutz, there's been a total of 918 voters so far at the Shenango Township Municipal Building. — K.W.

Enjoying the moment

Most people in Shenango Township seem to enjoy using the touch-screen machines but need a little help getting started. — K.W.

Lines forming again

The lines are picking up again in Shenango Township. Some voters told me  they are exciting about the election but tired after a day at work. — K.W.

There's something about Mary

Shenango Township resident Mary Servedio.

Record-holding voter

Reporter Debbie Wachter Morris snapped this photo of Mary Cook, 89, of Croton. She holds the record for the most years of voting and working at the polls in Lawrence County. Cook is judge of elections for the 3rd Ward, Sixth Precinct, and has been working the polls there and voting for 64 years. Behind her are her co-workers, Alice Bonfield and Rose Lombardo. Also working that precinct Tuesday were Alice Biordi and Carol Bethle. They reported that 179 voters had come through the precinct by 1:30 p.m. Typically, that precinct draws about 160 voters for an entire day.

First-time voter

Kara McConahy is a first time voter in Shenango Township.

A faithful voter

Ruth Barrows of Shenango Township said she has voted every chance she has gotten. She only missed one election because she was in the hospital. — K.W.

Steady stream in Shenango

The voters just keep coming in Shenango Township. While it hasn't been crazy, it's been steady all day. — K.W.

Lending a helping hand

Brett Cassella, 17, a student at Shenango High, is working at the township municipal building to help voters have a positive experience. 

Watching and waiting

Little Kyra is waiting with her mom to vote.

Overcoming obstacles

This voter in Shenango Township isn't letting her disability stop her.

More than 700 and counting

The Shenango Township Municipal Building is reporting that 707 voters out of a registered 1,953 have voted so far. — K.W.

Tagging along

This mom in Shenango Township took her son for the experience.

Getting busy

The voters are flying in now to the Shenango Township Municipal Building. — K.W.

some of the older voters

Some of the older voters like using the touch-screen voting machines. I'mm glad to see them in Shenango Township. The are very friendly. — K.W.

Absentee ballots

There are 88 absentee ballots that have to be opened in Shenango Towship. According to judge of elections Kay Lutz, that's the most in Lawence County. — K.W.

Voting in Shenango

People casting their votes in Shenango Township! How exciting! — K.W.

Some Shenango votes will be canceled

Some people in Shenango Township are having difficulty and are not confirming their votes. These votes will be canceled, according to judge of elections Kay Lutz.

Shenango voters out in droves

Poll workers at the Shenango Township Municipal Building said 653 people voted at the site by noon. Judge of elections Kay Lutz wasn't sure if it was a record, but said the total was extremely high.

I just voted for the first time

Hi, this is Krystal Watkins from New Castle High and I just voted for the first time. It was exciting, but there weren't many people at my polling place. I'm heading out to the Shenango Township Municipal Building to send text message updates this afternoon.

Everyone is coming out to vote — even if it's difficult to get around. — L.S. and C.A.

Long lines in Neshannock

Voters at Hutchison Center in Neshannock Township are experiencing long lines as lunch time is upon us. However, most voters are enjoying standing in the long lines, chatting across party lines and basking in the warmth and sunshine. — Max Thomson

the lines havent formed yet

the lines havent formed yet but the number of voters is steadly increassing.

It's a family affair

Many voters have been taking their children with them on this historic day.

Residents taking to the streets

Many residents of Clen-Moore Boulevard are standing on their sidewalks to watch the coming and going of voters. — L.S. and C.A.

Crowds are coming back

The polls are finally starting to pick up now as we approach the lunch rush. It is expected to get very busy shortly. — L.S. and C.A.

Many campaigns are still passing out last-minute flyers to voters!

Clen-Moore crowd dwindling

The crowd is starting to dwindle. People are now at work. It is excepted to pick up again during the lunch hour. — L.S. and C.A.

Limited parking for voters

Parking spots near Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church are becoming limited. People are getting frustrated and there is much honking! — L.S. and C.A.

Even mail carriers are pausing to vote

Wow! It looks like everyone is coming out early to vote! — L.S. and C.A.

Some voters are still undecided!

We talked to some voters entering Clen-Moore and they were still undecided about which presidential candidate they will be supporting today! — L.S. and C.A.

Voters at Hutchison Center

Reporter Debbie Wachter Morris snapped this photo of voters waiting outside of Hutchison Center in Neshannock Township.

Older voters having trouble

We're witnessing some of the older voters at Clen-Moore having trouble adjusting to the electronic voting system. — L.S. and C.A.

Sweet treats on sale

Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church is taking advantage of Election Day traffic to have a bake sale to raise money for the church. — L.S. and C.A.

Showing their support

Across the street from Clen-Moore Church voters show support for their candidates! — L.S. and C.A.

Big turnout at Clen-Moore

Joan Montgomery,  judge of elections at Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church on the North Hill, said this morning that "we have had a much bigger turnout than I have seen in my thirty years here. That includes many new voters." — L.S. and C.A.

First-time voters providing updates

Good morning, voters. Today is a monumental election in the United States. Lawrence County residents will either help to elect our nation's first African American president or our first female vice president. And the New Castle News will be with you every step of the way with real-time updates from local polling places. In observance of this historic day, we've asked three first-time voters from New Castle High — Calle Affagato, Lyndsie Smith and Krystal Watkins — to share their observations and insights. Most voting sites are expecting record numbers and we're sure this will be an eye-opening experience for the young people. So be sure to bookmark this site and check back regularly throughout the day. Our guest writers will be filing several reports each hour until 5 p.m. and will send photos from the polls as well. A special thanks goes out to Verizon Wireless for allowing the girls to use the new Envy 2 cell phones, which make it possible to send updates directly from the polls to our Web site. We urge you to perform your civic duty and vote. And we'll hope you will join us in the excitement of the day.