SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY, Pa. —
Pennsylvania’s general election is nearly here. In this episode of WGAL 8 In Focus, we look at what’s at stake, how the outcome could affect the balance of power nationally and in the state, and what issues are on voters’ minds.
What’s different this year?
Lehigh University Political Science Professor Chris Borick and Franklin and Marshall College Political Analyst Berwood Yost said one of the biggest differences this cycle is the energy on the Democratic side.
They described it as pent-up motivation, both to support Democratic candidates and to push back against the president and Republican policies. Borick said the energy reminded him of what he saw around 2006, and both men noted that Republican enthusiasm appeared more muted.
Yost added that about 60% of voters in their polling said the president’s policies had hurt them personally, including roughly 20% of Republicans.
Why Pennsylvania matters
They said Pennsylvania stands out because so many races are competitive up and down the ballot. That includes control of the state House, state Senate, and Congress. Borick noted that the state Senate has been in Republican hands since 1993, while Yost pointed out that Democrats could potentially win the governorship and even the state Senate.
They also highlighted four highly competitive congressional seats in eastern and south-central Pennsylvania. Borick said those races could help determine whether this is a Democratic year.
Both men said Pennsylvania’s importance comes from its political balance: a mix of urban and rural voters, a moderate political tradition, and no party that has been able to dominate state politics for long. Yost noted that Pennsylvania has a Democratic governor, a Republican U.S. senator, and a divided legislature. He also said the state’s population mix, including a large rural base, an aging population, and a growing Hispanic and Latino population, makes it uniquely competitive.
Borick added that Gov. Josh Shapiro appears to be running well ahead in his race, even while other contests remain close. He noted that governors often benefit from midterm dynamics and from being in the opposite party of the president.
Election integrity concerns
When the discussion turned to election integrity, Yost said voters’ concerns were split along partisan lines. Republicans were more likely to worry about illegal immigrants voting or whether votes would be counted properly, while Democrats were more worried that federal agents might appear at polling places.
But both parties shared one major concern: whether mailed ballots would arrive in time to be counted. Yost said about two-thirds of Pennsylvania voters said they worried about that, which may help explain why the state has lagged behind others in early voting turnout.
Campaign ads and AI
Borick said negative ads have become the norm, but some of this year’s advertising has pushed even further than usual. He said record spending, including a $5 million state Senate race ad war in central Pennsylvania, may eventually backfire because voters tune out when they are overwhelmed.
He also said he is watching the rise of AI-generated political ads. Voters generally dislike them, he said, and he is interested to see whether lawmakers will move forward with bills restricting their use.
The League of Women Voters
Susan Shapiro then spoke with Amy Widestrom, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Widestrom explained that the League was founded in 1920 out of the suffrage movement to educate newly enfranchised voters and defend access to the ballot.
She said that mission remains the same today: empowering voters and defending democracy.
On Election Day, she said, many League members serve as poll workers or poll monitors. With more than 9,000 precincts across Pennsylvania and five poll workers needed in each one, she said many volunteers will be inside polling places. Others will stand outside as visible, helpful resources for voters. The League also observes the ballot-counting process after the polls close at 8 p.m. to help ensure transparency.
Widestrom said her biggest concern is that people won’t show up because they feel overwhelmed by the news and political division. She stressed that elections are safe and secure and that voters should trust the process.
If someone sees a problem at a polling place, she said, the first step is to speak with the judge of elections. Voters can also find poll monitors outside the polls or call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE, where lawyers and trained volunteers can help by phone, text, or WhatsApp.
What voters are thinking
WGAL’s Susan Shapiro spoke with three voters from Cumberland and Lebanon counties.
One voter, Scott, a retired attorney, said the biggest issue for him is affordability and the future his children face. He said his children work hard but still struggle to get ahead. He also expressed concern that the executive branch has become too powerful while the judicial and legislative branches have grown weaker.
Another voter, David, said many Americans do not understand the three branches of government or how they are supposed to work, and argued that the education system is failing young people.
A third voter, James, said his biggest concern is the rule of law and the use of AI in political advertising and messaging. He said it is becoming harder to know what is real and what is true, and he believes that is intentional. He said voters now have to do more fact-finding on their own, while others may get pulled into false narratives.
David criticized a negative ad about Janelle Stelson, saying that if the accusations were true, she would already be facing criminal charges. He also said he did not understand why the ad was still airing.
Scott agreed that negative ads are a problem, saying they attract attention and therefore keep getting used. He also said people are getting more of their information from Facebook and other social media sources, where propaganda can spread easily.
Voting, polling places, and the outcome
Scott said that as a poll worker, his job is to make sure voters are registered and can cast their ballots, regardless of his own views. He said he and his wife both serve as poll workers and that he had checked with the judge of elections because he was concerned about possible interference. He said his precinct is small and should be fine, though he acknowledged intimidation could be an issue in some places.
He said Pennsylvania is fortunate to have a governor who helps keep the system running smoothly, and unlike some other states, voters here usually do not face long lines. He said voting is the best way citizens can express themselves and participate in democracy.
Scott also said he is concerned about whether election results will be accepted, especially at higher levels of government. He believes local voting will go smoothly, but said there may be pushback elsewhere. He pointed to Pennsylvania’s checks and balances, including having a Democratic governor and a Republican secretary of state, as a safeguard.
Campaign ads and the law
At the end of the program, WGAL addressed a viewer concern about why broadcast stations air campaign ads that may be misleading or false, including AI-generated ads. The station explained that FCC rules prohibit broadcasters from censoring or blocking ads from legally qualified candidates, even if the ads contain false or misleading information.
It also noted that there are currently no federal or state rules specifically regulating AI in political ads. A state House member sponsored legislation that would require disclosure of deepfakes and penalties for misrepresentation. The House passed the bill unanimously, but the Senate has not yet voted on it.