The state holds its Republican and Democratic primaries in the next two weekends, but thousands of voters won't be able to cast ballots where they usually do.

This year the state took over running primary elections from party officials. The move means that poll workers are no longer volunteers, but are paid.

To save money, the state is consolidating hundreds of polling places around the state. Thirteen voting places will be closed in York County, eight in Lancaster and three in Chester County, for both the Republican and Democratic primaries.

Wanda Hemphill, director of York County's Board of Elections, is concerned that some voters will go to the wrong polling place.

"I think we will still have some people who will go to their old location not knowing that it's closed. We have made efforts to try to get the word out, but unfortunately some folks will not get that word,” she said.

The changes affect thousands of voters in York County alone. The elections office has used a media campaign to inform voters, and staffers have taken a great many calls. To ease any confusion, signs will be posted at each closed polling location, redirecting voters to where they need to go.

Your best bet is to check your county's Web site or call your local elections office if you have any concerns about where to vote.

The change is only for the primaries. Voters will go back to their normal voting precincts on Election Day in November.

Officials said they don't believe the changes will keep voters at home.