“You have to be disciplined. There has to be a certain amount of temperament, you know, associated with leadership,” he said.

He said his main issue was democracy and that Jan. 6 took him away from Trump.

-Max Augugliaro

At the polling station at Our Lady of Victory Church in Pocono Township, Pia LoSanio said it was busier than in the past. As a Democrat, she said her main issues were women’s rights and the character of the candidates.

Republican pollsters Karen Parekowski, Karen Scapiliati, Nicholas Chapogas and Ayden Finley reported Tuesday night that, for the most part, everyone was friendly, but there was an earlier incident where someone yelled at them. They also said the line at 7 a.m., when the polls opened, was for parking.

-Max Augugliaro

Terry Reichard and Stephen Reinheimer voted for Donald Trump at Mount Eaton Church in Ross Township, citing immigration and the border as a key issue.

Reinheimer also mentioned foreign policy, saying “we need someone who is strong” and who other countries respect.

Also in Ross Township, Raven Hnedak voted for Kamala Harris and said “the abortion was huge for me” since the pregnancy would be high risk for her due to endometriosis.

-Max Augugliaro

“It’s very important to me because I’m newly married, so same-sex marriage and women’s rights are very important to me,” said Kimberly Smith, voting at the Hughes Library in Stroud Township.

“I hope Kamala wins, but there are a lot of things I support financially with Trump… I’m very torn because I’m a registered Republican, so this is hard, this is new,” she said.

“I hope our rights are protected, that’s number one.”

-Emmanuella Pierre

Stroudsburg voter Ira Jolley said he voted for Kamala Harris because of the “sense of calm” she will bring, as well as the positive economic changes and commitment to the rule of law.

“I hope our nation stays calm and moves forward, and just thinks about the future,” he said.

Monroe County voter Ira Jolley explains Harris vote

Video: A Harris voter in Stroudsburg says she will bring calm, positive economic changes and a commitment to the rule of law.

-Emmanuella Pierre

Jorden Haviland said he would vote for Donald Trump and wants to see lower prices and a safer border.

“Personally, I feel like I was better off under the Trump administration than I was under the current one,” he said Tuesday afternoon outside the voting center at East Stroudsburg University’s Koehler Fieldhouse.

He said he hopes “everyone stays calm about the results and accepts them as they are.”

Monroe County voter Jorden Haviland explains Trump vote

Video: A Trump voter in Monroe County hopes to see lower prices and a more secure border.

-Emmanuella Pierre

The Worthington family of Hawley exercised their right to vote today. Cindy and Allen Worthington went to the polls with their sons, Evan and Sean, who voted for the first time.

Cindy Worthington cited the national economy as probably the most influential factor in her vote. “I hope that whatever the outcome is, it will get better,” he said of the economy.

-Peter Becker

“It is their duty and they should vote to keep this country strong and vote for the Constitution. I believe in the Constitution,” Raymond Moyer said after voting at the Park Street Complex in Honesdale.

Adam Sabato of Honesdale commented after casting his vote: “The presidential election is the most important election as it decides our future for the next four years. We have to try to choose the best option. I have been voting since I was 18. I hope more people vote, especially young people. They are our future and will make the biggest difference.”

-Peter Becker

James Brennan, voting in Honesdale, where he is city council president, said, “I think it’s very important that we all do our civic duty and vote.”

Honesdale poll worker John Golden said turnout was steady in the early hours, typical in a presidential election.

-Peter Becker

He gratitude bus came to Stroudsburg on Election Day, driven by 1995 Pleasant Valley graduate Stephan Cesarini.

“Gratitude is the most important thing people need to remember today. “There is so much division and accusations, and people forget how much we have,” he said.

Cesarini, who now resides in New York City, has traveled the country for years asking everyone who boards the bus what their dream is. Conversations usually don’t turn political. The signs on the bus promoting voting are only temporary.

“It’s a great day. But I think she’s going to win,” Cesarini said, referring to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

“I believe in institutions,” he said. “I think even if Trump is elected, we will be fine. The rule of law, I believe. I think everything will be much darker and more divisive under this man, because it’s not about unifying people. “That is clear.”

-Kathryne Rubright

As of 4 p.m. Monday, Monroe County has received 26,149 mail-in and absentee ballots, about 82% of those submitted.

In Pike County, 14,354 ballots were received (88%) and Wayne County received 8,949 (91%).

Across Pennsylvania, election offices had received 1,830,246 ballots as of Monday afternoon, about 83% of those requested by voters.

Registered Democrats represented 1,014,744 votes, Republicans, 602,601; and third-party and unaffiliated voters, 212,901.

Polls will be open today from 7 am to 8 pm. If you are in line at 8 pm, stay in line to vote.

Enter your address here if you need to find your polling place.

Mail-in and absentee ballots must be received at your county elections office by 8 p.m., the same time polls close for in-person voters.

If you still need to return a ballot, it is too late to mail it back. Take it to your election office or put it in a mailbox before 8 p.m.

Further: Where to Return Mail-In Absentee Ballots in Monroe County

From the White House to the state House of Representatives, Pennsylvanians have important decisions to make in this year’s election. Check out the voter guide to see some of the most important races on the ballot.

Voter’s Guide to the 2024 Presidential Election

According to the State Department, this is the schedule for vote counting and certification:

• November 5: Election workers begin counting mail-in ballots at 7 a.m. on Election Day and in-person ballots when the polls close at 8 p.m. Election workers will continue counting both in-person and mail-in ballots until the next day.

• November 8: On the Friday after Election Day, counties begin the official counting of the election. During this time, counties “reconcile” their votes by ensuring that the number of registered voters who voted in each precinct matches the number of ballots counted in each precinct. Election officials also verify the eligibility of provisional ballots and process all eligible provisional ballots, among other tasks.

• November 12: Counties must submit their unofficial results to the Department of State.

• November 22: Counties must complete the pre-certification risk limitation audit.

• November 25: Counties must certify all election results to Secretary Al Schmidt, who will then certify the statewide election results after review.

• December 11: Governor Josh Shapiro must sign the Pennsylvania Certificate of Verification.

• December 17: The Electoral College meets in Harrisburg to vote for president and vice president.

How many voters are allowed in a polling place at one time?

If you plan to vote in person in Pennsylvania, you may have to wait in line even if voter traffic is not very busy. Under Commonwealth election rules, no more than 10 voters will be allowed in polling places at a time. Everyone else must wait in line outside the polling place.

In 2020, the average wait time was just over 16 minutes, according to the Movement advancement project.

Pennsylvania law could create long lines at polling places

–Shane Brenan