With voting turnout in our region hovering between 34 and 40 percent for Berks, Bucks, and Montgomery counties, considerable interest was focused on local school board contests in addition to judicial races in the Commonwealth. 

            The outcome of several of the races for school boards could be determined by an unusually high number of write in votes.

            In the race for four open seats on the Upper Perkiomen School Board, Republicans Keith McCarrick (2,858), Melanie Cunningham (2,736), and Eve M. Puhalla (1,832) along with Emily Psaris McCormick (1,670), who appeared on the Republican and Democratic ballots, were the top vote getters topping Democrats JP Prego (1,385) and Tatiana Galota (1,007).  However, 2,733 write-in votes yet to be verified and tabulated could change the outcome.

            In an apparent Republican sweep for four seats on the Perkiomen Valley School Board, Don Fountain (4,840), Rowan Keenan (4,837), Jason E. Saylor (4,828), and Jason Christopher Shoemaker Geddes (4,618) were leading against Democrats Tammy Campli (3,702), Michelle Smith (3,689), Michelle Keating-Sibel (3,656), and Edward McGuire (3,510).

            Five candidates were vying for four seats on the Souderton Area School Board with cross-filers Andrew Landis (8,459), Janet Flisak (8,237), and Stephan Nelson (8,237) along with Republican William J. Brong (7,701) leading Democrat Scott P. Swindells (5,249).  This race could also be decided by the 6,480 write-in votes that need to be verified and counted.

            A close race for the Region 1 seat on the Boyertown Area School Board has Republican Kirstin Lord (1,916) with a slight lead over Democrat Ruth A. Dierolf (1,905) with 1,280 write in votes to be counted.  In Region 2, Republican Anthony Panarello (1,937) topped Sonia Mastros (960) with 1,398 write in votes waiting to be verified and counted.  In Region 3, Republican Jeffrey Zawada (2,473) bested Democrat Jon Emeigh (1,245) with only six write in votes uncounted.

            In the Quakertown Community School Board Race, Diane Richino was unopposed for the 2-year, Region 1 seat.  For two open seats for a 4-year term in Region 1, Republican Ronald D. Jackson (1,858) and cross-filer Todd Hippauf (1,772) won out over Democrat Kaylyn Mitchell (1,075).  In the Region 2, 4-year term, it was Republican Glenn Nicholas Iosue (1,783) over Democrat Jennifer L. Gross (1,207).  Republican Michael J. Post (1,305) topped Democrat Joseph Carl Lyons (1,091) for the 2-year seat in Region 3, and Republican Charles Shermer (1,334) topped Democrat Keith D. Micucci (1,171) for the 4-year seat in Region 3.

            The judicial elections affecting our region were close in a number of races.

            The contest for Justice of the Supreme Court in Pennsylvania has Republican Kevin Brobson leading Democrat Maria McLaughlin by a count of 1,348,602 to 1,224,686. For Judge of the Superior Court, Republican Megan Sullivan, with 1,424,792 votes, is topping Democrat Tamika Lane who has 1,136,866 votes. 

            In the race for Judge of the Commonwealth Court, Republicans Stacy Marie Wallace (1,305,805) and Drew Compton (1,229,132) are holding their leads over Democrats Lori A. Dumas (1,154,335) and David Lee Spurgeon (1,044,763).  

            For Judge of Common Pleas in Bucks County's 7th Judicial District, Republican Stephen A. Corr (97,368) is leading Democrat Tiffany Michelle Thomas-Smith (86,709). In the race for Judge of Common Pleas for the 23rd Judicial District in Berks County, Tina Boyd (60,641) is leading James Gavin (43,388).  Both candidates appeared on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.  Judge A. Nicole Phillips ran unopposed for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the 38th District of Montgomery County.  

            Both Justice Mary Jane Bowes and Justice John T. Bender will be returning as Judges of the Superior Court by winning their retention questions.  Justice Anne Covey and Renee Cohn Jubelirer have both won their retention as Judges of the Commonwealth Court. 

            Judges Thomas C. Branca and Richard P. Haaz, both in the 38th Judicial District in Montgomery County, will be returning to their positions on the Court of Common Pleas as will James M. McMaster and Robert J. Mellon of the 7th District in Bucks County.  Thomas G. Parisi and Jeffrey K. Sprecher have both retained their seats in the 23rd Judicial District in Berks County.

            Election results are preliminary and unofficial until all votes are counted and certified.