UPPER DELAWARE RIVER, NY and PA — Voters across the Upper Delaware River Valley turned out on election day, Nov. 3, 2026, voting in a series of local, state and national races. 

The River Reporter talked with voters throughout Sullivan County, NY and Wayne and Pike Counties, PA. Voters focused on national issues, with many saying they cast their ballots because they needed a change. 

Dissatisfaction drives voters

Voters across the political spectrum said one of the key drivers of their vote was dissatisfaction with the way things are going. Republicans in New York targeted the state’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, while Democrats in the empire state voted against President Donald Trump and national Republicans.

Bethel, NY voter Robert Bolduc voted straight Republican. When asked what issues made him decide his vote, he said that a general dissatisfaction with the way things had been going in the state. Also in Bethel, Jorge Salcedo said he voted against Trump, and that the President was the deciding factor in both state and local races.

In Thompson, NY, one voter expressed that the “socialist direction” of the state was the reason that they came out to vote. Todd Zilker, a Thompson voter, called out New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani

A voter leaving the Town of Cochecton, NY polls told the River Reporter he voted because there needed to be a change of Governor. 

Oil prices

Heating costs were one of the affordability issues voters had on their minds when they went to the polls for November 3's elections. 

Town of Highland, NY voters Susan and Phil had concerns about higher prices at the forefront of their mind. Susan said they were on a fixed income. 

The family just filled its 1,000 gallon oil tank with 500 gallons of heating oil, said Phil. That cost them $3400. 

And, Susan added, that amount might not get them through the winter. 

"That's really expensive," said Phil. 

Immigration

Among the many concerns Wayne County, PA voters raised on Tuesday, one seemed of significant importance: immigration and border security.

Hawley, PA voter Pat Magee said she didn’t want Democratic candidates in office because she didn’t “want illegals coming across the border like they were four years ago” 

Magee stated she was okay with immigration in general, but that she felt like it should be done legally to keep Pennsylvania safe.

Bonny Cousins, a voter in Honesdale, PA, agreed that illegal immigration was a large concern to her. She wished the current government was more like the Reagan administration.

Lynn Guyser, leaving the Damascus Township, PA, polls, told the River Reporter that she wanted to make sure that the border stayed closed and that the nation is more fiscally responsible. 

Rural partisanship

Wayne County Republican Chair Steve Adams said that Wayne County would definitely go Republican. The question, he said, was about turnout: the better the rural counties turned out, the better it would be for Republicans. 

Wayne County Democratic party member Robin Samson said something similar in Damascus Township. She heard that turnout was high across Wayne County—however, with Republicans having the registration advantage, that didn't necessarily bode well for Democrat's chances, she said.

Asked about why people might come out to the polls, Adams said, "I can't tell you [why] anyone would vote Democrat. I just can't see that."

Kelsey Franjione, campaigning for the Democrats in Lake Township, PA, said that they were there to try and change the vibe in Wayne County. She felt that there was a big shift coming, she said, and hoped to support rural counties like Wayne shifting their votes. 

Franjione had heard from former Republicans voting Democrat because of data centers, because of the Republicans' handling of the Epstein files and because of prices in general. 

Politics in Wayne County

Dave Corey was campaigning for the Republicans outside the Lake Township, Wayne County polling site. 

Corey said the Republicans running were much better than the alternatives: they had a very good record, in fact a "stellar" record, and said that there was a very high turnout in the race. 

In Hawley, Samuel Johnston was manning the Wayne County Republican booth. 

Johnston told the River Reporter it was important for him to be at the polls so voters saw representation from both parties, as he had not seen the Republican party at the Paupack Township Borough Building a few years ago. 

He also said this election was important to watch for the Republican party.

“I’m worried about us losing the House and the Senate, it means we’re going to get a lot of impeachments,” Johnston said, referring to president Donald Trump.

Johnston commented that one topic on his mind was less restrictive gun laws, which he felt State Senator District 8 candidate Lisa Baker aligned with.

“I’d like to continue having concealed carry be allowed. I’d like us to go to constitutional carry.” Johnston said, referring to gun legislation that would allow open and concealed carry without a government-issued permit.

Ann Monaghan and Elaine Herzog of the Wayne County Democrats, stated the economy and wages were a primary concern.

“So much of our economy is tourism and hospitality and service related, and Shapiro has been a big proponent of supporting those industries,” Herzog said about the governor. “But without a living wage…there’s no benefit.”

Monaghan added that while she didn’t know many people who are making Pennsylvania’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, even a few dollars above that an hour would not be a living wage in Wayne County, which she claimed would be $23 an hour.

Johnston added that he respects the Wayne County Democrats, calling Monaghan “excellent” and stating that she is well-informed.

“Send that sentiment to Washington and we’d be in good shape!” Monaghan responded, laughing.