Primary Election to Take Place May 17

Essayist George Jean Nathan once wrote, “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.”

Registered voters in Perkiomen Valley have much to think about before heading to the polls Tuesday, May 17. While it is important to vote, it is just as important to be an informed voter. There are many state, county and local contests to be decided during this primary election. There are also five Perkiomen Valley School Board seats to be determined.

Fortunately, PV Patch is here to help you become an informed voter. We've done a little homework to help you before you head into the booth and press the Vote button. Another great online resource is Smart Voter, which is sponsored by The League of Women Voters. Enter your address, and your actual ballot comes up.

Tuesday, May 17, is a primary election, and in PA, we have "closed primaries." This means only registered Republicans and registered Democrats can cast a vote for their own party's candidates. All other registered voters will have an opportunity to vote in the general election. Voters in our area will be choosing which party candidates will move on to the Nov. 8 election. 

Here is what you can expect for state-level elections:

• Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge (10-year term): Republicans will vote for either Paula A. Patrick or Vic Stabile. Democrat David N. Wecht is running unopposed.
• Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge (10-year term): Republicans will vote for either Anne Covey or Paul P. Panepinto. Democrats choose from Kathryn Boockvar and Barbara Behrend Ernsberger.
• Court of Common Pleas; District 38 Judge (10-year term): Republicans choose from two of the three candidates made up of Richard Haaz, Dan Clifford and Maureen Coggins. Democrats choose from two of the three candidates made up of Richard Haaz, Dan Clifford, Maureen Coggins and Cheryl Austin.

This is the run-down of Montgomery County Elections:

• Commissioner (four-year term): Democrats vote for two, with two candidates running—Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards. Republicans vote for two, with two candidates running—Jenny Brown and Bruce Castor.
• Clerk of Courts (four-year term): Ann Thornburg Weiss will appear on the Democrat ballot, and Moon Ahn will be on the Republican ballot.
• Controller (four-year term): Diane B. Morgan will appear on the Democrat ballot, and Stewart Greenleaf, Jr. will be on the Republican ballot.
• Coroner (four-year term): Walter I. Hofman will appear on the Democrat ballot, and Gordon S. Clement will be on the Republican ballot.
• District Attorney (four-year term): Risa Vetri Ferman will be on the Republican ballot.
• Prothonotary (four-year term): Mark Levy will appear on the Democrat ballot, and William E. Donnelly will be on the Republican ballot.
• Recorder of Deeds; Montgomery County (four-year term): Linda M. Hee will appear on the Democrat ballot, and Nancy J. Becker will be on the Republican ballot.
• Register of Wills (four-year term): D. Bruce Hanes will appear on the Democrat ballot, and Patricia A. Mosesso will be on the Republican ballot.
• Sheriff (four-year term): William A. Holt, Jr will appear on the Democrat ballot, and Republicans will choose between Robert J. Durante and Eileen Whalon Behr.
• Treasurer (four-year term): Jason E. Salus will appear on the Democrat ballot, and Chuck Wilson will be on the Republican ballot.
• Perkiomen Valley School District Directors (School Board, serve four-year terms): The same names will appear on both the Democrat and Republican ballot. Vote for five of the seven:

John E. Knudson, Jr.

Ann Mantey (Republican ballot only)

James A. Nelson 

Diane C. Landes

David R. Warren

Samuel J. Schweigert

Gerry Barnefiher

Andrea Galambos

There are also elections in our local boroughs and townships. Depending upon where you live, you may be electing new borough or township officials, tax collectors and others. Watch PV Patch in the coming days and weeks for voter information specific to Collegeville, Trappe, Skippack, Perkiomen Township, Lower Frederick and Schwenksville.

Our government is here to serve us. Use your voting power May 17 to have a say in who will make decisions that affect all of us.