WVIA News Election Live Blog

Republican congressional candidate Jim Bognet gave his first address of the night just after 11 p.m. in downtown Hazleton.

He called the race between him and incumbent Democratic Congressman Matt Cartwright too close to call, and urged patience in waiting for the results, particularly due to "screw-ups" in Luzerne County.

Polls in Luzerne County, where Hazleton is located, did not close until 10 p.m.

Congressman Matt Cartwright is optimistic.

"I want to tell you we don't know the results of my election tonight, we don't know it yet. But the numbers look good and it leaves me in a position of optimism," he said.

The five-term incumbent U.S. Representative is in a tight race with opponent Republican Jim Bognet, a Hazleton native.

Cartwright's optimism was contagious throughout his crowd of supporters at the Waldorf Social Club in Scranton who cheered the sitting congressman on while he spoke.

He spoke briefly after arriving around 10:25 p.m. Cartwright thanked his volunteers and staff.

He also says he is hopeful for the future of Northeast Pennsylvania.

If reelected, he promised to rebuild roads and bridges, sewer and water systems and bring broadband to rural areas in Northeast Pennsylvania.

"The future is ours in Northeast Pennsylvania and that's why I'm optimistic and each and every one of you should be too."

Oz’s election night party is taking place at the Newtown Athletic Club in Bucks County.

A few hundred supporters are packed into a gymnasium to await the results. Some are wearing outfits incorporating the American flag, or nodding to former president Donald Trump.

Samantha Twining says she came as part of the United Spinal Association’s Greater Philadelphia chapter. She was injured in a car accident 15 years ago and has been using a wheelchair since.

The 36-year-old Delaware County resident says she would like to see a doctor in the state legislature.

“Really because of the knowledge of what spinal cord injuries really are. Maybe if we can come to a common conversation, discuss what’s missing.”

Many medical professionals have called into question the health advice that Oz gave on his daytime television show.

Congressman Matt Cartwright arrived at the Waldorf Social Club in Scranton around 10:25 p.m.

He was greeted with cheers and applause from supporters.

Cartwright is running for the 8th congressional district against Republican Jim Bognet.

This is the second match-up for the pair.

Bognet is a Trump-backed candidate. Cartwright is a five-term incumbent.

Supporters and campaign staff are grouped at tables and the bar at The Pines Eatery and Spirits in Hazleton awaiting updates from Republican congressional candidate Jim Bognet.

Bognet reportedly made rounds shaking hands about an hour ago, but has not made remarks yet.

Polls in Luzerne County, where Hazleton is located, did not close until 10 p.m.

Around 75 supporters of Congressman Matt Cartwright and other Lackawanna County Democrats are gathered at the Waldorf Social Club in Scranton. Cartwright is running in a rematch against Republican Jim Bognet to represent the 8th congressional district which covers all of Wayne, Pike and Lackawanna counties and parts of Luzerne and Monroe counties.

Cartwright is running in a rematch against Republican Jim Bognet to represent the 8th congressional district which covers all of Wayne, Pike and Lackawanna counties and parts of Luzerne and Monroe counties.

Luzerne County polls will close at 10 p.m. Acting Director of Elections Beth McBride requested the extension after polling places started to run out of the type of paper the county uses to print and count ballots from its electronic voting machines.
Democrat and State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski arrived at 9:35 to a round of applause. She is running against Republican David Burgerhoff for the 114th District which covers parts of Lackawanna. Current Scranton City Council president and Democrat Kyle Donahue was also welcomed to the club with a round of applause while Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" played. He is running against Republican Aaron Sepkowski for the state representative seat in District 13, which also covers parts of Lackawanna County.

Classic rock plays from a DJ booth set up behind a row of campaign yard signs.

Hours after polls closed, more than a hundred people have started filling up the Newtown Athletic Club in Bucks County where Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz is hosting an Election Night watch party. Some Oz supporters could be seen wearing suits with American flag designs, and some wearing hats referencing former President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Oz throughout the Senate race. Folks could be waiting a while for election results to come in, as votes from tonight, as well as potentially more than a million mail-in ballots will need to be counted.

In Allegheny County, while the election is proceeding smoothly by all accounts, the county's elections court has issued a handful of orders regarding concerns at area polling places."One court order named several individuals purportedly with an entity called "The Commission Security." The order said they were "purporting to be poll security" and required them to "cease and desist from traveling to or entering any polling place in Allegheny County and/or interfering with the operations and functioning of any polling place.

"County officials say election workers received a call about individuals claiming to have a contract to provide security and asking voters for information. "Commission" members had apparently departed the scene by the time deputies arrived leaving them with no one to serve the order on. But they advised poll workers in Wilkinsburg to keep an eye out for the group.

The court also ordered a man to stop filming and taking photographs inside a polling location earlier today after election workers observed him doing do. Lawyers from the county cited state statutes and case law establishing that videotaping inside a polling place may be considered voter intimidation.

“A constable told him not to do that but he would not accept that so we ended up sending a sheriff,” said county attorney Dennis Biondo said. The man voluntarily left the polling place, which was not immediately identified, after he was served with the order.

Also today, the court issued a cease-and-desist order barring an Upper St. Clair Republican Committee officer from entering any polling place in Allegheny County. The court issued the order in response to reports that the party official instructed poll workers to orally announce who people were voting for as they cast their ballots.

Voters in Luzerne County have until 10 p.m. to cast their ballots.

Issues with the type of paper used to print and count ballots caused voting to be extended in Luzerne County