Voters in Times News area precincts in Schuylkill County will see some familiar names on their respective ballots on May 17, when the primary election is held from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

That’s because the voting this year includes balloting for positions on the Republican and Democratic state committees within the county.

At-large (every district) voting will see the Republicans elect four people (two males and two females) from the county on the GOP state committee. The Democrats will elect two people (one male and one female) to represent Schuylkill County on their party’s state committees.

The Republican candidates include Brian Manning of Pottsville, Larry Wittig of West Penn Township, Maria Casey of Minersville, Mary Beth Dougherty of Girardville and Seth J. Huber of Branch Township.

The Democratic candidates are Liz Bettinger of Pottsville and Jared L. Fiddler of Wayne Township.

Meanwhile, voters in each of the county’s districts will elect people in their districts to serve on the Republican and Democratic county committees. One person will be elected in each ward in each party.

The candidates in Times News area districts are:

Coaldale: Democrats, Anna Gallagher, East Ward, and Mary Gildea Mack, West Ward.

East Brunswick Township: Democrat, Robert J. Bylone Sr.

Mahanoy Township: Democrat, Helen Sluzis.

McAdoo: Republicans, Mary A. Labert, First Ward, and Alberta Bumbulsky, Second Ward.

New Ringgold: Republican, Larry Padora.

Rush Township: Republican, David Argall, East Ward; Democrat, Karen M. Davison, West Ward.

Ryan Township: Democrat, Thomas Bux.

Tamaqua: Republicans, Jonathan Barnes, First Ward, Mary Linkevich, Second Ward, David Mace, Third Ward, and Matt Hope, Fourth Ward; and Democrat, Thomas C. McCarroll, Third Ward.

Walker Township: Republican, Nicholas Boyle.

West Brunswick Township: Republicans, Sheila M. Smith, North Ward, and Mark Stefura, South District; and Democrat, Jessica A. Simkulet, South Ward.

West Penn Township: Republicans, Tony Prudenti, First Ward, Larry Wittig, Second Ward, and Don L, Handwerk, Third Ward; and Democrats, Todd Zimmerman, Second Ward, and Nadia Hassani, Third Ward.

Also, the Republican Party bylaws call for two people to serve as alternate county committee members in each district.

Running for those positions in the Times News area districts are:

Tamaqua: Republicans, Jonathan Barnes, First Ward, and John R. Handler, Fourth Ward.

West Brunswick Township: Republicans, Eugene Bonkoski and Carolyn Bonkoski, South Ward.

West Penn Township: Republican, Gail A. Handwerk, Third Ward.