Tuesday's primary election promises several exciting races across the state, even if many Pennsylvanian voters do not care enough to head to the polls.
Political analysts expect a low turnout for this year's primary, despite a close race in the 13th Congressional District and national media focus on the battle between U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey.
"We just have low turnouts for primary elections in Pennsylvania," political analyst Larry Ceisler said. "People don't care."
State residents might not be concerned about the U.S. Senate race enough to go out and vote, but the election's national implications have created heightened interest in the outcome across the country.
The race between Toomey and Specter is a "struggle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party," Ceisler said, adding that Center City and surrounding areas may actually have higher turnout rates than the rest of the state due to the Senate race.
Toomey claims to represent the conservative side of the Republican Party and argues that Specter's policies are too liberal. Specter is running on his long record with the Senate and his continued successful efforts at bringing resources and big money to the state.
First-time voters are required to bring valid identification, which can consist of government-issued photo identification or non-photo identification -- such as a voter registration card, any state document, any federal document, firearm permit, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check.
Other races to watch are the election for Pennsylvania attorney general, where Bruce Castor and Tom Corbett are vying for the Republican nomination, and the battle for state representative in the 182nd District among Democrats Babette Josephs, the incumbent, and challengers Andrew Hohns and Terry Gillen.
Ceisler noted that because only strongly opinionated voters turn out for primary elections, results tend to be skewed, with particularly liberal or conservative candidates emerging as winners.
"That's why you don't get mainstream candidates" in some primary elections, Ceisler said.
Philadelphia's Committee of 70 addressed election issues by noting that although the presidential ballot may seem to be decided, it is still important to vote in the primary election.
"The major party presidential nominees have been selected yet again without the input of Pennsylvanians, but the April primary presents many opportunities for voters to choose their party's November lineup and thank, promote, admonish or remove their current legislators," the committee wrote in a newsletter.
"The decisions we make now will determine our ballot options in the fall, and the decisions made in November will determine the direction of our commonwealth and nation," the committee added.
The U.S. State Department launched a new Web site last week to educate Pennsylvania voters about the voting process. The Web site -- which is located at www.pavotes.state.pa.us -- has instructions on how to use the various voting systems, the voting methods and the types of voting systems particular to each county.
The site was created in response to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which required states to upgrade their voter education initiatives.
To locate a polling place, voters need to know their ward and division, which are listed on voter registration cards or can be obtained by calling the Committee of 70.
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