Election officials urge voters to participate as turnout typically drops in odd-year Pennsylvania elections

As Pennsylvanians head to the polls on Tuesday to vote for local leaders, election officials warn turnout is often much lower than in presidential elections.

PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Tuesday’s election may not draw the same attention as a presidential year, but local election officials say the decisions made at the polls will affect Pennsylvanians in their own communities.

Voters will pick school board members, county commissioners, municipal leaders and judges whose rulings can shape how laws are interpreted for years to come.

“You turn on the faucet and water flows, or you flush the toilet,” said Ray D’Agostino, chairman of the Lancaster County Board of Elections. “Those are issues, quite frankly, that are handled by local officials.”

Despite that impact, turnout during municipal elections is typically much lower.

“Not just here in Lancaster County, but across the Commonwealth and the nation, turnout in years with local elections is not as great as when there’s a governor’s race or a presidential race,” D’Agostino said.

Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt echoed that message, urging residents to show up for every election.

“It’s important that you select people who represent you best in every election, whether it’s a national election or a municipal election like this one,” Schmidt said.

Voting reminders for Election Day

With some new polling locations, updated voting systems and changes surrounding mail-in ballots, officials say voters should double-check their polling places before heading out.

• If you requested a mail-in ballot but decide to vote in person, bring the ballot and outer envelope to surrender it at your polling place. If you don’t have it, you can still vote by provisional ballot.
• First-time voters or those voting for the first time in a new precinct must show identification.
• If your name is not in the poll book, poll workers can confirm your registration, and you may still cast a provisional ballot if needed.
• Voters who changed addresses within Pennsylvania but didn’t update registration may vote one last time at their previous precinct and update their information there.
• Anyone told their mail-in ballot may not count due to an error — like a missing signature or secrecy envelope — can vote provisionally.
• Voters can request an emergency absentee ballot in cases of sudden illness, disability or unexpected absence.
• All voters have the right to assistance — including language or literacy support — and the right to vote free from intimidation or harassment. Concerns can be reported to election officials or by calling Pennsylvania’s voter hotline at 1-877-VOTES-PA.

Officials say every race on the ballot — no matter how small — helps shape a community’s priorities.

Whether it’s school funding, road repairs or county budgets, they emphasize one message: Your vote still matters.

Resources

Find your polling place, check your registration status and review what’s on your ballot here.

Contact the PA Voter Hotline, 1-877-868-3772, with any issues.