MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — On Primary Election Day, people come out to cast their votes for many reasons.
"I'm out here voting for the next generation, my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren," said Noel Blair.
Sylvia Patel of Middle Smithfield Township brought her granddaughters with her to the polls to teach them about the voting process.
"It's important that they see that we have a duty as citizens to decide the way the country is going to go," Patel said.
But where to go to vote in the primary election changed for some voters in Monroe County. With anticipation of high voter turnout for the November general election, Monroe County officials split voter precincts in Middle Smithfield Township and Tunkhannock Township.
"It shows that our county is growing, and more importantly, more people are getting engaged in participating in the election process, so we've seen turnout increase over the past several years," said Monroe County Commissioner David Parker.
Voters in Tunkhannock Township can cast their ballots at the municipal building and firehouse.
In Middle Smithfield Township, registered voters now have four locations, including the Church of St. John and Middle Smithfield Presbyterian Church on Route 209.
Sylvia Patel remembers the massive turnout the 2020 election brought out.
"It was a long wait. I was there for an hour and a half. I think it was the time of day too, so that's why I figured today I'm coming early."
Voters say that with the split, they're happy that their new polling location isn't too far away.
"It was taking way too much time, and the parking spaces was not enough. We had to park on the sides of the roads. It makes it dangerous for everybody, so I think it's better this way," Patel said.
"It's no big deal, really, for me, as long as I get to vote," Blair said. "That's all that matters."