Centre County voter turnout was higher in this election than the previous midterm
Voter turnout in Centre County surpassed the two previous midterm elections, unofficial results showed Wednesday.
About 58% — 61,898 — of the county’s 107,425 registered voters participated in the general election, which featured high-profile races for governor and U.S. Senate. Voters also chose representatives for the U.S. House and state House.
During the 2018 general election, about 55% (60,971) of registered voters turned out. In 2014, the turnout was 37% (39,606 voters).
Over the past 10 years of elections in Centre County, this fall saw the third highest level of voter participation, trailing only the presidential elections of 2020 (70%) and 2016 (63%).
The increased turnout continues a trend seen earlier this year, when turnout for the primary election was the highest in the past decade for a nonpresidential primary.
Where was turnout the highest?
The highest voter turnout in the county’s 87 precincts was in Precinct 52, Ferguson West. Almost 78% of the precinct’s registered voters — 979 — voted in the election. The vast majority voted in person, with fewer than 200 absentee or mail-in ballots submitted. They supported Republican candidates across the board. Here’s a snapshot of unofficial results from the precinct:
- U.S. Senate: 531 votes for Dr. Mehmet Oz; 419 votes for John Fetterman
- Governor: 481 votes for Doug Mastriano; 475 votes for Josh Shapiro
- U.S. House: 556 votes for Glenn Thompson; 413 votes for Mike Molesevich
- state House: 506 votes for Steve Yetsko; 451 votes for Scott Conklin
Voters cast the highest number of ballots — 1,956 — in Precinct 41, College North. Turnout in the precinct was about 63%, with 1,323 voters showing up to the polls on Nov. 8 and 633 voting by mail. Voters there favored Democratic candidates. Here’s a look at the precinct’s unofficial results.
- U.S. Senate: 1,141 votes for John Fetterman; 753 votes for Dr. Mehmet Oz
- Governor: 1,234 votes for Josh Shapiro; 658 votes for Doug Mastriano
- U.S. House: 1,087 votes for Mike Molesevich; 841 votes for Glenn Thompson
- state House: 1,194 votes for Paul Takac; 729 votes for Justin Behrens