Light turnout expected at PA primary

But citizens eager to give their opinion have the chance to vote on some positions that experts say have real power.

In just over a week, Philadelphia voters will head to the polls for the May 19th primary. The election offers few high-profile races like competitions for President or Mayor, and turnout is expected to be low. But citizens eager to give their opinion have the chance to vote on some positions that experts say have real power.

Listen:
[audio: 090508lfprimary.mp3]

Incumbent City Controller Alan Butkovitz faces two Democratic primary challengers. St. Joseph’s University history professor Randall Miller says people should be paying attention to the race.

Miller: The City Controller’s is probably one of the least known and yet most significant offices. And in these difficult days, one of the things the City Controller does by law is make audits to literally follow the money, discover whether or not people are complying with regulations, how they’re spending money, whether the books are correct.

Voters in the primary will also cast ballots for District Attorney. Five Democrats are running to replace DA Lynne Abraham, who’s leaving the top prosecutor position after almost two decades.

In both races, one Republican candidate is running unopposed in the primary.