Every semester, it feels like midterm exams start earlier and earlier, sneaking up on students as soon as they\u2019re getting into the groove of their new schedule.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On a presidential off-year, students can treat election day like another day to sleep-in or procrastinate studying for their next exam. Oftentimes, people don\u2019t vote for local offices, because they don\u2019t know the candidates\u2019 policies or the positions up for election.<\/p>\n
According to States United<\/a>, a nonpartisan organization, the 2020 presidential election saw a 63% voter turnout, yet in the 2022 midterm elections, only 44% of eligible voters cast their ballot.<\/p>\n While it may seem like there\u2019s nothing to do for the next four years after a president is elected, local and midterm races still impact the everyday lives of Americans.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since President Donald Trump\u2019s second-term inauguration, his policies have flooded nearly every news site and social media algorithm. Comparatively, there\u2019s much less advertising for midterm candidates and local positions.<\/p>\n Additionally, 36 states<\/a> will have governor elections on the midterm ballot. State and municipal legislature seats will also appear on many ballots.<\/p>\n For Lehigh students registered to vote in Bethlehem, there are pivotal local races this year to focus on that will decide the next governor or change the majority in Congress.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to know what the candidates stand for \u2014 here\u2019s the information you need to ace this midterm:<\/p>\n Incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro is running against Republican Stacy Garrity in Pennsylvania\u2019s gubernatorial election.<\/p>\n In Shapiro\u2019s first term, he passed the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit<\/a> \u2014 a state tax credit worth 10% of federal tax credits \u2014 that will benefit Pennsylvanians come tax season.<\/p>\n Since Trump\u2019s second-term, Shapiro has pushed back on the president\u2019s policies by suing the Trump administration over two dozen<\/a> times.<\/p>\n Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity is challenging Shapiro\u2019s reelection. Endorsed by Trump, Garrity denied<\/a> Trump\u2019s loss of the 2020 election and has recently shown support<\/a> on X for tax cuts in Trump\u2019s Big Beautiful Bill.<\/p>\n Garrity previously celebrated<\/a> the overturning of Roe v. Wade and advocated for defunding Planned Parenthood, but has since clarified she would respect Pennsylvania\u2019s abortion law and wouldn\u2019t support a ban.\u00a0<\/p>\n Shapiro has historically been in support of protecting access to abortion<\/a> and has reaffirmed his commitment to reproductive healthcare in Pennsylvania during this election cycle.\u00a0<\/p>\n After the 2024 election, Republicans hold the majority in both chambers of congress.<\/p>\n The House of Representatives has a narrower majority, with 218 Republicans and 214 Democrats. The Senate is held by 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.<\/p>\n Even with the Republican majority<\/a> and a Republican president, midterms can flip party control.<\/p>\n All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are on the 2026 midterm ballot and 33 or 34 seats in the Senate are on the ballot.<\/p>\n According to an analysis piece by The Guardian<\/a>, Democrats are favored to take over the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n Incumbent Republican Ryan Mackenzie and Democrat Bob Brooks are running for Pennsylvania\u2019s 7th Congressional District.<\/p>\n Rep. Mackenzie is endorsed<\/a> by Trump and has been affiliated with Elon Musk \u2014 the world\u2019s first trillionaire and the richest person \u2014 alongside other Republican congress members up for reelection. According to The Morning Call<\/a>, Musk has spent over $276 million since July to keep the Republican majority.<\/p>\n Endorsed by Shapiro, Brooks is a former Bethlehem firefighter who has raised over $2 million<\/a> for his campaign through individual donations and $192,250 from political committees.<\/p>\n Last year, Mackenzie voted to triple the ICE<\/a> budget to $30 million as a part of the Big Beautiful Bill.<\/p>\n