Doylestown Voters Guide: Who's On The Ballot And Where To Vote

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Republicans and Democrats will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 16 to nominate their candidates for the November election.

This year's Pennsylvania Primary ballot is crammed with names, vying for everything from borough auditor to Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice.

Many of the races are uncontested with voters going through the motions to officially nominate candidates for the November election. Other races are contested, including for Bucks County Coroner, Bucks County Commissioner, Doylestown Township Supervisor, Chalfont Borough Council, New Britain Township Supervisor and the Central Bucks School Board.

In the lead up to the election, voters have already been selecting their nominees via mail-in and drop-off ballots. Ballots can be dropped off at designated locations throughout the county. Click here for locations.

The races appearing in this voters guide are contested. Patch reached out to the candidates in those contested races and invited them to provide biographical information and to respond to a series of questions. Links to their replies appear in this guide.

Some candidates in races for judicial and school board have cross-filed, meaning that candidates will appear on both the Democrat and Republican ballots with the top vote-getters moving on to the November election.

Here are the races to watch on Tuesday in the Doylestown area:

Bucks County Commissioner

Democrat (Vote for 2)

• Robert Harvie
• Diane Ellis Marseglia

Republican (Vote for 2)

• Pamela A. Van Blunk
• Andrew L. Warren
• Gene DiGirolamo

There's a contested primary race for Bucks County Commissioner on the Republican ballot. GOP voters will choose two candidates from a field of three as their nominees for Bucks County Commissioner. Endorsed Republicans - incumbent Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo and Bucks County Controller Pamela A. Van Blunk - are facing a challenge from former county commissioner Andrew L. Warren. The winners will face Democrat Robert Harvie and Democrat Diane Ellis-Marseglia in the November election. The Democrats are uncontested on Tuesday.

Bucks County Coroner

Democrat (Vote for 1)

• Meredith Buck
• Patti Campi

Republican (Vote for 1)

• Charles R. Stockert

The other contested county race appears on the Democratic ballot for county coroner. Incumbent Meredith Buck faces Democratic challenger Patti Campi for their party's nomination. Buck is running on her record as coroner for the past three years, saying she guided her office through the pandemic and also launched a program to bring proper military burials to unclaimed veterans. Campi is campaigning to share county-specific data regarding the opioid crisis and mental health issues faced by residents of Bucks County. The winner will face Republican Charles Stockert, who is uncontested on Tuesday.

Chalfont Borough

Democrat (Two Year Seat, Vote for 1)

• Dan Colbert

Democrat (Four Year Seat, Vote for 3)

• Thomas Taft
• Mitchell B. Meyerson
• Lisa Cardinale
• Michael Kelly

Democratic Party voters will pick three candidates from a field of four as their nominees for three open four year seats on borough council. On the ballot are Thomas Taft, incumbent Mitchell B. Meyerson, Lisa Cardinale and incumbent Michael Kelly. There are no Republican candidates on the ballot in Chalfont.

Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors

Democrat (Vote for 2)

• Judy Dixon
• Jennifer Herring

Republican (Vote for 2)

• Patricia Murphy
• Robert Caroselli
• Joe Van Houten

On the Republican ballot, voters will choose two candidates from a field of three as their party's nominees for two six year terms on the board of supervisors. The candidates are Patricia Murphy, Robert Caroselli and Joe Van Houten. The race is uncontested on the Democratic ballot.

New Britain Township Board of Supervisors

Democrat (Vote for 2)

• Bridget Kunakorn
• Cynthia Jones

Republican (Vote for 2)

• Scott W. Fischer
• Gregory T. Hood
• Brian P. Dutill

Central Bucks School Board (Region One)

Democrat (Vote for 1)

• Karen Smith
• Stephen Mass

Republican (Vote for 1)

• Karen Smith
  
• Stephen Mass

Voters will choose between incumbent school board member Karen Smith and Republican challenger Stephen Mass. They are cross-filed on both ballots. If one candidate wins on both ballots they will move on to November with no challenger otherwise the top vote-getter on each ballot will fight it out in November.

Central Bucks School Board (Region Two)

Democrat (Vote for 1)

• Dana Hunter
• Heather Reynolds

Republican (Vote for 1)

• Dana Hunter
• Heather Reynolds

Democrat Heather Reynolds is challenging incumbent Republican and school board president Dana Hunter for a four year term. They are cross-filed on both ballots. If one candidate wins on both ballots they will move on to November with no challenger otherwise the top vote-getter on each ballot will fight it out in November.

Central Bucks School Board (Region Three)

Democrat (Vote for 1)

• Patricia Carman
• Glenn Schloeffel
• Dana Foley

Republican (Vote for 1)

• Patricia Carman
• Glenn Schloeffel
• Dana Foley

Voters in region three will choose one candidate from a field of three who have cross-field on both the Democratic and Republican ballots. Cross-filed on both ballots are Patricia Carman, Glenn Schloeffel and Dana Foley. If one candidate wins on both ballots they will move on to November with no challenger otherwise the top vote-getter on each ballot will fight it out in November.

Central Bucks School Board (Region Five)

Democrat (Vote for 1)

• Aarati P. Martino
• Rick Haring

Republican (Vote for 1)

• Aarati P. Martino
• Rick Haring

Voters in region five will choose one candidate from a field of two on both the Democratic and Republican ballots. Cross-filed on both ballots are Aarati P. Martino and Rick Haring. If one candidate wins on both ballots they will move on to November with no challenger otherwise the top vote-getter on each ballot will fight it out in November.

Central Bucks School Board (Region Eight)

Democrat (Vote for 1)

• Susan M. Gibson
• Tony Arjona

Republican (Vote for 1)

• Susan M. Gibson
• Tony Arjona

Voters will choose one candidate from a field of two who have cross-filed on both the Democratic and Republican ballots. The cross-filed candidates are Democrat Susan M. Gibson and Republican Tony Arjona.If one candidate wins on both ballots they will move on to November with no challenger otherwise the top vote getter on each ballot will fight it out in November.

When To Vote

Polls will be open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16.

Where To Vote

If you're planning on voting in-person and are not sure where to go to vote, you can find your polling places here.

Drop-Box locations

Bucks County has several absentee/mail-in drop boxes available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Sign and date and declaration on the outer envelope or your vote will not count.

The drop boxes are now available at the following libraries in Bucks County:

• Bensalem branch, Bucks County Free Library
• Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
• Free Library of Northampton Township*
• Perkasie branch, Bucks County Free Library
• Riegelsville Public Library
• Warminster Township Free Library
• Yardley-Makefield branch, Bucks County Free Library

Bucks County’s website notes additional drop box locations and helpful information about submitting your ballot.