It's primary day, or municipal election day. Forgive me if I go off on a familiar rant. You will be electing mayors, council members and school directors today. These are the people who have a huge influence on your life, your police protection, your taxes, the education of your kids... And yet, a lot of people blow off going to the polls and stay home. The people on the ballot today likely have a larger impact than presidents, representatives and senators.
Several row offices are up in the county in which I live. Most are unopposed, and that sickens me. The process is broken and good people are sitting on the sidelines.
I expect my standard election day. A big breakfast. There will be preview stories on Newswatch 16 This Morning. After the broadcast, I'll roam about looking at turnout and trends. There will be a story for our noon broadcast. I'll then go home, take a nap, and watch my colleagues report the numbers tonight.
Notice something is missing. I won't vote today. Regular blog readers will know I'm an independent. Unless there's a ballot question, I have to sit out primary day. No complaints. That's the way the system works.
If you are registered and a member of a party, please vote today. It really matters.
Look for updates here, on WNEP.com, on my Twitter page, @AndyPalumbo_, on Instagram, andy.palumbo, and on my Facebook page.
Speaking of Facebook, "likes" have taken a nice spike lately. Thank you and tell a friend.
I have some predictions in mind. Watch this space tomorrow to see if I was right.
Vote. Please. It's important.
>>>2:30 AM UPDATE: Scripts have been double checked and tweaked. I looked at a potential live shot location on the way in, and I like it. As many know, an election morning tradition is to stop for a spicy chicken sandwich at the only 24 hour fast food restaurant that serves it. The place is known for horrible food and service that's even worse. However, tradition is tradition. I don't know if the staff was read the riot act, or there's new management, but today's stop was glorious. The food was excellent, with speedy service. Let's hope that continues when I drop by in November. Now, it's time for a little housekeeping, then in the truck for the morning live shots.
>>>4:45 AM UPDATE: First live shot done. Five more to go before the day is done. We chose Weston Field in Scranton. Why? Why not? I wanted someplace different, and this one is lit up nicely. It's tough to find something scenic in the middle of the night. Usually, at this time of day, at a polling place, you get a brick wall and maybe a few signs. Weston Field is a pretty building. It's white. It's bright, and it's a good place to preview the election.
>>>10:00 AM UPDATE: A flurry of activity... visiting polling places, talking to voters, texting friends who voted, talking with candidates. All, to get a handle on turnout. There are some busy pockets, but it is generally light. It's not a surprise. Just slammed a story, went over the script, handed it off to an editor, and it's time to get set for the noon broadcast.
>>>11:30 PM UPDATE: The noon broadcast was clean, went home, and went to sleep. I woke up to some surprises. I'll digest it all in a half hour.