Pennsylvania Roundup #3

Lehigh County voter comments

By noon 511 people had cast ballots out of 1600 registered voters in the Pennsville section of Lehigh Township. “Only 300 voted in the primary,” said Deborah Heckenberger, one of the election workers. “We've had a lot of first time voters, many young college kids.”

Voting at other precincts in Lehigh Towship like Blue Mountain, Cherryville and Triechlers is also going strong.

In Moore Township, Northampton County, the line extends way outside the Star Grange #993 off Route 512. And most voters already made up their minds long ago...for Barbara and John Strauss of Moorestown, it's Obama...

"I've never seen it this crowded," said Barbara.
— Matt Birkbeck Of The Morning Call

Altoona area

EBENSBURG -- Aside from a fire-sparked last minute polling station switch in Patton, election workers said all was busy but going well in Cambria County as of lunchtime.

All of Cambria's 165 precincts opened their doors at 7 a.m., with indications that Cambria voters will be turning out in high numbers today, Election Office Assistant Director Roberta Englehart said.

Election Director Fred Smith has predicted Cambria's turnout could reach 75 percent --with the presidential race a talker, state House seats featuring feisty battles and U.S. Rep. John Murtha believed to be in a tight race to retain his seat.

The media bias has begun in Lancaster County

New Era interviews with nearly 200 early-morning voters in city, suburban and rural districts here found Democrat Barack Obama running ahead in this GOP-dominated county — a bad sign for Republican John McCain's chances of winning Pennsylvania.

"We need some change in the country and I don't particularly like how the last eight years went," Jeanne Hamilton, a 65-year-old retired teacher from Lancaster, said of her vote for Obama and running mate Joe Biden.

W took the county 2:1 Cut me a break.