Bucks County voters still heading to polls despite snow in 140th District special election

Peg Quann and Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County Courier Times
Updated ·2 min read

The snow and rain aren't stopping the special election Tuesday for the 140th Legislative District in Lower Bucks County.

Bucks County announced early Tuesday morning that the polls are open and poll workers reported for duty despite the inclement weather.

The county, however, is directing Lower Bucks voters who are voting by mail to drop their ballots at the box at the county government's Levittown offices at 7321 New Falls Road, Bristol Township. This is the only drop box that is open due to the weather.

For the special election, Democrats far outnumber Republican voters who requested mail-in ballots, according to county spokesman James O'Malley.

The county sent out 3,932 Democrat ballots and as of Tuesday morning, 2,923  — roughly 79% had been returned compared to 740 Republican ballots sent out and 478 returned, roughly 65%.   The county also sent 522 ballots to voters registered in other parties, and 286, roughly 55% had been returned as of Tuesday.

The National Weather Service expects 4 to 7 inches of snow to fall on Lower Bucks County, and up to 9 inches of snow in Upper Bucks County.

Polls are open until 8 p.m.

Republican Candace Cabanas, left, and Democrat Jim Prokopiak
Republican Candace Cabanas, left, and Democrat Jim Prokopiak

Results of the race will determine which political party controls the state House, so its importance, both locally and statewide, have political watchers on alert.

Democratic Jim Prokopiak and Republican Candace Cabanas are running for the seat held by former long-term state Rep. John Galloway, a Democrat who is now serving as a district justice in the seat formerly held by Jan Vislosky.

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Prokopiak, a Pennsbury School Board member and member of the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority as well as former Falls supervisor, has run an aggressive campaign, taking out television ads and holding news conferences.

Cabanas, also from Falls, is a political newcomer and said she is running as a working-class mom concerned about her community.

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Both candidates have the support of their respective parties.

The 140th Legislative District includes 33 precincts, including all of Falls, Morrisville and Tullytown and portions of Middletown, mostly in Levittown.

Drop off location for mail-in ballots include the county building in Doylestown, 55 E. Court Street, second floor, or at the county office in Levittown, Bristol Township, 7321 New Falls Road.

For questions, call the Board of Elections during at 215-348-6154.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Election for 140th District rep still on despite snow, winter weather