Who's Who in the Supervisors Race

Today, May 17, is Primary Election Day – the day to make your choice for local officials such as school board members who decide how your hard-earned tax dollars will be spent.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In Pennsylvania, primary elections are “closed,” meaning you must be registered as a Republican to vote for Republican candidates, or as a Democrat to vote for Democratic candidates. Voters registered as Independent can only vote on ballot questions (such as Northampton County’s Gracedale nursing home question) in this election.

In the race for Forks Township Board of Supervisors, there are two available seats up for grabs -- one four-year term and one six-year term. In all, six candidates are vying for the two available seats. Here’s a breakdown:

• C. David Howell, (D) incumbent supervisor, is completing his first term as supervisor, having served six years. He is running for the six-year term.
• Lilly Gioia, (D) incumbent supervisor, has been on the board for one year, after filling a vacated four-year term. She is running for her first full four-year term.
• Andrew Parke, (R) is running for both the four-year and six-year terms.
• John O’Neil, (D) is running for both the four-year and six-year terms.
• Georgeann Wambold, (R) is running for the six-year term.
• Dan Martyak, (R) is running for the four-year and six-year terms.

In nearby Palmer Township, Supervisor Ann-Marie Panella (D) is running uncontested for the one available six-year term.

If you encounter any problems at the polls (such as voting machines that malfunction), let me know so we can check into them. Thomas.Takesha@patch.com

Patch will report local election results as soon as they become available. Check back tonight for updates after the polls close.