Voter turnout appears heavier than usual in Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Observers say primary election turnout appears heavier than usual at polling places across the region.
A steady stream of voters made their way into Hancock United Methodist Church in Springfield Township.
"It's kind of scary. I hope we get the good one in there," said Carol Kingsland. She's talking about the Republican nominee for president.
"Kasich I voted for. He just seems more sensible than the rest of them," she said.
We spoke to Democrats too, who were anxious to cast their ballot for president.
Bette Austin says, "I voted for the one person who is fully qualified and that is Hillary Rodham Clinton."
Voters were happy to see they weren't alone at the polls. They were encouraged by those who showed up to perform their civic duty.
Salvatore Tancredi tells us, "I wanted to participate. I didn't want to be one of those armchair members you know."
At Drexel Hill Nissan in Upper Darby Township, voters walked right into the voting booth around lunch time. But poll workers reported steady turnout there, too.
Thomas Goodman, a Democrat, said he had to cast his vote in the presidential race after watching months of political coverage.
Goodman says, "You see the stuff on the news that says, 'this person is a lock-in, this person is going to win.' So, you want to come in and make sure you have a say in that."
Early Tuesday morning when the polls first opened, voters flocked to their polling places.
Julie Benn of Lafayette Hill is a school teacher, and she says her vote is more than a ballot - it's also a learning tool.
"It's a little exciting. We're talking about the election with my students in school, so I'm just really excited to tell them about the experience," she explained.
In Philadelphia, the Action Cam was at the Old First Reformed Church in Old City, where Mayor Jim Kenney cast his ballot.
The Loeshe School in the Bustleton-Somerton section of the Northeast was teeming with election activity. Passover restrictions at synagogues forced six divisions into the building.
This remains a largely Democratic area, like so much of Philadelphia, and the epic Hillary-Bernie battle goes on.
Fran Gewertz of Somerton says, "I've liked Hillary all along... But I think as far as the candidates are concerned, I think she has the most experience, and I think she'll do the best job."
But Bruce Gjertsen of Bustleton says, "I voted for Sanders... He's got some kind of grit. I'm not sure what it is, but I think he'd be good in the White House - not that I'm bashing Hillary in any way."
Across town in Overbrook Park the turnout has been strong since the polls opened.
Folks in the high turnout 34th ward never miss voting - presidential year or not.
Ann Madden of Overbrook Park tells us, "I vote every time... because I exercise my right as a citizen."
Most voters we talked to mainly said it was the presidential election that motivated them to come out, despite a number of statewide and local races.
