Easton Patch Election Results 2012

President Barack Obama was the clear winner in Easton Tuesday, according to results from Northampton County.

But some things about Election Day weren't as simple in the city. 

Numerous residents reported being asked for ID at their polling places, despite the fact that the state's voter ID law doesn't go into effect until next year.

The county Republicans wound up going to court to get access to polling information. There were also complaints about signs posted by an advocacy group called PACAN offering a $1,000 reward for reports of voter fraud. 

Did you have problems at the polls? Let us know in the comments, or e-mail me at tom.coombe@patch.com.

Update, 10:10 p.m: The race has already been called for President Obama in Pennsylvania. In Easton, he had beaten Republican challenger Mitt Romney in most precincts.

Update, 6:15 p.m: At Northampton County Voter Registration headquarters, the phone wouldn't stop ringing. Even with several workers manning the phones, the calls seemed constant.

Behind the counter, other staff members fielded questions: directions to polling places, last minute voters, first-time voters, campaign workers with complaints. State Rep. Bob Freeman -- who is on the ballot but unopposed -- stops in as well to inform them that provisional ballots are running low around his district. 

Update, 5:15 p.m: A Democratic attorney tells Bethlehem Patch editor Daryl Nerl that a judge has ordered all the voter fraud reward signs taken down. We're trying to confirm this.

Update: 3:15 p.m: Turnout is high at the Meuser Memorial Library in Wilson, where 538 people had voted. That's about half the people registered in that district.

Update: 1:20 p.m: Voter count at the Easton Area Neighborhood Center was well over 500 as of 1 p.m.

Update, 12:40 p.m: Signs offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to voter fraud convictions have popped up around Easton.

At the South Side Senior Center, Mark Willis -- constable for the 10th ward -- thought they were inappropriate. After consulting with the elections attorney on site, Willis yanked it out of the ground.

"It's something that might be intimidating or considered intimidating, to dissaude voters from coming in and placing their votes," Willis said.

The signs were made up by a group called Pennsylvania Commercial Action Network, which describes itself as a non-profit business advocacy group PACAN has also placed "Replace Obamacare" billboards around the state.

"Doing the right thing by reporting election fraud, which hurts everyone, is a civic responsibility that comes with its own reward," PACAN says on its website. "But, we'd like to let individuals know that there are folks out there who will support you and are very thankful you are willing to come forward, because not everyone will."

The Express-Times notes that Easton area Democratic activist Joe Welsh has filed a formal complaint over the signs with Northampton County.

Update, Noon: By 11 a.m., close to 400 people had cast their vote at the polling place at College Hill Presbyterian Church.

On the other side of the city, at the Easton Area Neighborhood Center, a line stretched nearly out the door. 

Update, 9:46 a.m: Voters are reporting lines, although not necessarily long ones, at Easton polling places.

Some voters say they're encountering poll workers asking for their ID, although that's not something that's required this election. 

Check back here all day for live election updates.

Polls have shown the presidential race between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney tightening in the days before today's election.

Here's how the Easton area voted in the last two presidential elections:

The words Easton and Democrat go hand in hand when looking back at 2004 and 2008.

Both Sen. John Kerry in 2004 and then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2008 claimed victories in the city, with Obama getting nearly three times the number of votes as opponent Sen. John McCain.

Kerry beat Bush, 5,285 to 3,069, while Obama trounced McCain, 6,922 to 2,422.

The Democrats’ dominance was the same in the boroughs of Wilson and Glendon. In Wilson, Kerry beat Bush, 1,566 to 1,196, while Obama got almost twice as many votes as McCain, 1,815 to 959.

In Glendon, Kerry triumphed, 89 to 66, while Obama again got almost twice as many votes as his opponent, 105 to 58.

The results were a little different in the borough of West Easton, where Bush beat Kerry by one vote, 217 to 216. Obama beat McCain but by a closer margin, 276 to 203.

In Williams Township, which has grown with many upscale homes, the Republicans had their way in both years.

Bush beat Kerry, 1,488 to 1,060, while McCain – unlike in most Northampton County municipalities – defeated Obama, 1,693 to 1,429.

For a look at all the candidates in all the races, check out our Easton Patch Election Guide.

Stay with Patch all day as we update this article with news and information from the polls and live election results after 9 p.m.

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LIVE 2012 ELECTION RESULTS

Obama-Biden

Bob Casey

U.S. Congress/

 17th District

Matt Cartwright