Election 2024 Live Updates: What is the political make-up of Cumberland County?

The Sentinel will be covering the 2024 Election throughout the day Tuesday with live updates on in-person voting and live election results as they start coming in Tuesday evening. Check back to Cumberlink.com throughout the day as information and results emerge from this year's presidential election.

What is the political make-up of Cumberland County?

Cumberland County has long been a red-leaning county, although the latest voter registration numbers also show a significant number of voters registered with third parties that make up the difference between Republicans and Democrats.

For Tuesday's election, the Cumberland County Bureau of Elections reported there are 187,335 registered voters in the county. Of those, 91,480 identify as Republicans and 63,312 identify as Democrats. Despite Pennsylvania being a closed primary state, there are also 32,543 registered voters who are aligned with other parties.

What the mail-in ballot demographic looks like

Although mail-in ballots started out primarily popular among Democrats, the number of people who requested them this year has started to even out between the two major parties.

The Cumberland County Bureau of Elections reported last week that it sent out 48,223 mail-in and absentee ballots to registered voters: 21,574 to Democrats, 19,716 to Republicans and 6,933 to other party voters.

As of last Thursday, the county received 79% of the ballots back, with 17,396 coming from Democrats, 16,036 from Republicans and 4,856 from other parties. As of 7 a.m. today, 42,439 of 48,260 mail-in and absentee ballots had been returned, the county said.

Ballots can be returned until 8 p.m. today at the election bureau's office, 1601 Ritner Highway, Suite 201, Carlisle.

Rules for those observing ballot canvassing

Along with poll watchers at polling precincts, people are allowed to also observe the ballot canvassing process at the county Bureau of Elections.

Cumberland County commissioners on Thursday approved a number of rules and regulations regarding observers. They may not interfere with or talk to those performing the canvass; instead they can ask questions to only county elections director Bethany Salzarulo or her designee.

Observers are positioned in a special observation area in the same room as the canvassing but away from workers, and they are not allowed to have cell phones or electronic devices in this area.

Anyone who does not follow the rules will be removed from the observation area, according to the county.

What to know about poll watchers

Given the heightened interest around the election, there may be more poll watchers than usual at area precincts. Poll watchers are people who must live in that election district and obtain a certification from the county to be there as a representative of a candidate or party. There are only so many allowed at a time at a single precinct.

While poll watchers are allowed to watch the election process from inside the precinct, they are only allowed to speak directly to poll workers and the judge of elections. Poll watchers must file complaints to only the judge of elections, and they are not allowed to approach voters or interfere with them in any way. They are also not allowed to lodge complaints about a voter based on race, appearance, language, religion and other characteristics not relevant to voting qualification.

The Pennsylvania Department of State says poll watchers are not allowed to solicit votes or display campaign material, and voter intimidation includes photographing or recording voters, disseminating false or misleading election information, blocking the entrance to the polling place, confronting or hovering over voters, engaging in threatening behavior and asking voters for documentation.

How to report issues at the polls

Voters have rights at the polls, and those who believe they have experienced intimidation or see election fraud or election crimes can report it through the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Voters can file reports online at vote.pa.gov or by calling 1-877-868-3772.

Track your ballot

Mail-in ballot voters can make sure their ballot has been received and recorded by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of State website: pavoterservices.pa.gov .

By clicking on "Election Ballot Status," you can search by name, birthdate and county of residence to see a ballot's status.

The web portal will show when the ballot was received by the county and whether the ballot has been accepted.

If a ballot is rejected, Cumberland County previously said that the SURE System will email the voter on record to tell them that a mistake on the ballot was found. For questions about the ballots, call the county office at 717-240-6385.

As polling places opened this morning, trained Cumberland County staffers began the pre-canvass process, which includes preparing ballots to be scanned.

The county's Bureau of Elections had received 42,439 mail-in or absentee ballots as of 7 a.m. from the 48,260 people who requested them, officials announced.

"The 322 overseas civilian absentee ballots and the three mail-in ballots that were challenged will not be included in the unofficial count on election night," the bureau's director Bethany Salzarulo, said in a statement. "A decision on the disposition of those ballots will occur during a Board of Elections hearing."

Residents can return voted mail ballots until 8 p.m. Tuesday at the bureau's office, 1601 Ritner Highway, Suite 201, Carlisle.

Mail-in ballot to in-person voting

For voters who requested and received a mail-in ballot but now find themselves wanting to vote at the polling place instead, they can still vote at their precinct today.

Voters should bring their mail-in ballot with them and surrender it to the poll workers so they can vote in-person.

If you cannot find the ballot or the ballot has been damaged, you can still vote by provisional ballot at the polling precinct. Just explain the situation and ask the poll workers for a provisional ballot. The Cumberland County Bureau of Elections will sort out the vote after polls close to ensure no one has accidentally voted twice.

Photo identification for first-time voters

While those who have voted in their precincts before will not have to show identification, those who are voting for the first time or are new to their precinct will have to show acceptable photo or non-photo identification in order to vote.

Acceptable photo identification are a valid Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT-issued ID card, ID issued by any Pennsylvania state agency, U.S. passport, U.S. Armed Forces ID, a student ID or employee ID.

Acceptable non-photo identification, which must include a voter's name and address, include voter ID cards issued by the county, non-photo ID issued by a state or U.S. government agency, firearm permit, current bank statement, current utility bill, current paycheck or government paycheck.

Polling precincts open

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today for the election. For a list of this year's county polling places,.

In addition to the polling precincts, the Cumberland County Bureau of Elections will also be open through 8 p.m. for those who want to drop off their mail-in ballots. The office is located at 1601 Ritner Highway, Suite 201, Carlisle.

For those who have yet to vote in the Nov. 5 election, you can prepare for Election Day – and likely the long lines – with The Sentinel's Election Preview . Also know who's on the ballot ahead of time with a look at who is running this fall.

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