CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Only 19.5% of registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary election, according to unofficial results released by the Franklin County Board of Elections late Tuesday night. The county website updated at 10:07 p.m. confirmed that all 73 precincts were fully reporting, concluding an election cycle that saw minimal participation across the region.
Local election officials reported that out of 87,827 registered voters in the county, only 17,096 ballots were counted. The low turnout persisted despite a packed docket featuring 233 separate contests on the ballot.
In the high-profile gubernatorial primaries, incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro easily secured his party’s line, capturing 5,632 votes, representing 98.48% of the total Democratic gubernatorial ballots cast. Write-in candidates accounted for the remaining 1.52% with 87 votes. On the Republican side, Stacy Garrity garnered 9,405 votes, or 87.70%, while write-in campaigns staged a notable showing with 1,319 votes, representing 12.30% of the Republican gubernatorial turnout.
The race for lieutenant governor presented a stark contrast between the two major parties. Democrat Austin Davis locked in 98.74% of his party’s vote with 5,499 ballots, leaving write-ins with just 70 votes. Conversely, the Republican primary for the seat featured a contested two-way matchup. Jason Richey secured a decisive victory within the county, pulling in 7,475 votes for 71.45% of the total. His opponent, John Ventre, finished with 2,797 votes, or 26.73%, while write-in votes stood at 190, or 1.82%.
For the U.S. House of Representatives, Democratic candidate Beth Farnham swept her primary with 5,469 votes, which amounted to 98.90% of the vote. Write-ins pulled 61 votes, or 1.10%. Incumbent Republican Representative John Joyce captured a commanding 10,617 votes, translating to 98.17% of the party’s ballots, while write-ins took 1.83% with 198 votes.
In the Pennsylvania General Assembly races, representation shifted widely across distinct legislative districts. In the 81st Legislative District, Democrat Caleb J. Donahue earned 670 votes, or 98.24%, against 12 write-ins. Incumbent Republican Rich Irvin carried the Republican line for the 81st District with 1,823 votes, representing 99.40%.
In the 89th District, Democrat Shannon Michael Jackson took 2,840 votes, achieving 98.95% over 30 write-in votes. Incumbent Republican Rob Kauffman secured 4,489 votes, or 98.14%, in his primary race. Meanwhile, the 90th Legislative District’s Democratic ballot featured no listed candidates, resulting in a 100.00% write-in outcome totaling 155 votes. Incumbent Republican Chad G. Reichard won his party’s nomination for the 90th District with 4,379 votes, capturing 99.07%.
Internal party leadership positions were also decided on Tuesday. In the race for the Democratic State Committee, where voters were instructed to choose two individuals, Avril Williams led the pack with 4,631 votes, accounting for 47.47% of the total. John J. Patterson took 2,913 votes, or 29.86%, followed by Delmar David Burridge with 2,148 votes, or 22.02%. Write-in candidates picked up 64 votes.
Dozens of hyper-local Democratic committeeman positions saw low numbers or relied entirely on write-ins to fill vacancies. Notable exceptions where named candidates ran included Chambersburg Ward 1 District 2, where John W. Bryner drew 98 votes; Chambersburg Ward 2 District 1, where John (Sean) A. Scott III brought in 58 votes and Chambersburg Ward 2 District 2, where Shannon Michael Jackson earned 145 votes.
In Greencastle 1, Cameron C. Schroy won with 76 votes , while Barry A. Waggy took Montgomery 2 with 34 votes. Don Palesky claimed the Mercersburg seat with 64 votes.
The Board of Elections noted that all totals remain unofficial until a formal canvass of ballots is completed in the coming weeks
