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Northampton County election officials cast lots to set primary ballot order
Summary
Election officials used a numbered-ball drawing on May 20, 2025, to determine the order of candidates on the Northampton County primary ballot for dozens of county, municipal and school-district contests. Officials said candidates present could draw their own number; the lottery produced a final placement list for each contest.
Northampton County election officials held a public drawing on May 20, 2025, to determine the order in which candidates will appear on the May 20, 2025 primary ballot, using a container of 30 numbered balls to assign placement for countywide offices, magisterial judges, school boards and many borough and township contests.
The drawing followed the method described by the election official: a bingo-ball type system with a container holding balls numbered 1 through 30; the lowest number drawn appears first on the ballot. Candidates who were present were offered the opportunity to draw their own lot; officials drew on behalf of absent candidates.
The process matters because ballot placement can affect voter recognition and ballot layout; the election official said the drawing will determine placement for the May 20, 2025 primary ballot in Northampton County. The session covered numerous contests across the county. Officials opened with the countywide races, proceeded through magisterial district judges and school boards, and concluded with borough and township offices.
Among the countywide results announced by the election official, Tara Zrinsky drew 30 and Amy Kozy drew 6 for the County Executive contest; the official announced that Amy Kozy will appear first on the ballot. For the County Council at-large Democratic contest (six candidates), the official announced the drawing resulted in this order: Theresa Fadem, David Hollins, Nadeem Kwaiyum, Lori Vargo Hefner, Jason Boulet and Patty Bruno. The election official also read the Republican at-large order as John P. Goffredo, Juan E. Martinez, Sam Elias, Daniel Campo and John Brown.
Officials recorded draw results for dozens of school-district and municipal contests across the county. Examples announced during the session included: for Bethlehem mayor (Democratic), Jay William Reynolds will appear first followed by Grace Kramsey Smith; for Bangor Area School District director at large (Democratic), Olivia Fraunfelter will appear first followed by Thomas J. Mort and Ashley Mort; for Easton Area School District Region 2 (Democratic), Joshua Davis will appear first followed by Shandika M. Greenfield. The official repeated the draw procedure and announced placement for each listed contest in turn.
The election official closed the session by wishing candidates well and noting the casting process concluded. No formal votes or additional motions were recorded; the meeting’s purpose was strictly to conduct the public lot-drawing and announce the resulting candidate order for the May 20, 2025 primary ballot.
Officials said the county used five sample copies of the casting sheet for each party (to share among candidates present) and followed the countywide sequence described at the start: countywide races, magistrates, school boards, then boroughs and townships in order. The official stated the container held 30 balls, numbered 1–30, and that the lowest number drawn would appear first on the ballot. The drawing session concluded with the announcement that the casting of lots was complete and a wish of good luck to candidates.
