Choices plentiful for Pa. voters Tuesday

November 03, 2008|By JENNIFER FITCH

Both presidential campaigns have strongly focused on Pennsylvania and its 21 electoral votes in recent weeks.

Vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin personally acknowledged the importance of the state when she visited Shippensburg (Pa.) University last Tuesday.

"It's going to come down to the wire," she said. "A lot of folks are telling us it will probably come down to Pennsylvania."

Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell predicted "a single-digit election" in Pennsylvania when he visited the campus two days later.

Pennsylvania hasn't voted for a Republican since 1988, although George W. Bush won 70.5 percent of the vote in Franklin County in 2004.

County voters will be making history in another manner when they choose the successor for retiring five-term state Sen. Terry Punt.

Republican Richard Alloway II, of Chambersburg, has far outspent Democrat Bruce Tushingham of New Oxford, Pa. The 33rd District encompasses Franklin and Adams counties, as well as part of York County.

Also, Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster again vies for re-election to the House of Representatives against Democratic nominee Tony Barr.

Barr, of Bedford County, Pa., is a public school teacher who won his party's nomination in 2006, but lost to Shuster in the general election. Shuster, of Hollidaysburg, Pa., is running for a fifth term in the House in the Ninth District.

Other contested races in the state include attorney general, auditor general and treasurer.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Franklin County's 75 precincts. Information about where to vote and what to expect at the polls can be found at www.votespa.com.

Voters' polling places may be determined by checking their voter registration card or by contacting the Voter Registration Office at 717-261-3886.

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