Election 2017: Bracey, Helfrich feeling confident at the polls

Polls opened at 7 a.m. in York County Tuesday, Nov. 7, for the municipal election with mayoral, judge and municipal supervisor positions, among others, set to be decided.

Incumbent York City Mayor Kim Bracey said she was feeling good about her bid for reelection after voting at Jackson K-8 School.

Nearing the end of her second four-year term, Bracey touted a statistical reduction in crime and lower property taxes, while promising to push for more city home ownership if she's reelected.

Though she fended off challenger Michael Helfrich during the Democratic primary election in May, she will have the defeat the York City Council president again, as he won the Republican nomination with write-in votes.

More:Few prominent York County races will be decided during Nov. 7 election

More:Judge races top ballot in off-year election for Pennsylvania

Still a registered Democrat, Helfrich has been explaining to voters for months that he accepted to the Republican nomination in order to give city residents a choice.

Even after voting at the Princess Street Center Tuesday morning, Helfrich was still explaining to a voter why the "R" appeared next to his name. He said he's not worried about losing any of his Democratic support, though.

"Most Democrats voted for me (in May) because they know me; they're informed voters," he said.

Helfrich was having his volunteers hand out pamphlets outside polling stations urging them not to vote straight ticket.

Rick Bailey, one of Helfrich's campaign volunteers, said he's lived in the city about 24 years, but this was his first time getting involved in a campaign.

He said he was supporting Helfrich because he sees him around the community more often than he sees Bracey, and he believes in term limits.

Bracey and Helfrich are joined in the mayoral race by Libertarian candidate David Moser, who currently serves on the board for York City School District.

Reached Tuesday morning, York County Elections Director Nikki Suchanic said had heard of a couple minor issues at polling stations around the county, but nothing too serious, and all issues have been quickly corrected.