Municipal, judicial races on the ballot today

Supreme Court retention decisions have been highly politicized and could result in greater-than-normal voter turnout.

Voters across Pennsylvania will head to the polls today to decide races for local offices and statewide judicial seats in what election officials expect will be a higher-than-usual turnout for a municipal year.

On ballots across the commonwealth, voters will choose township supervisors, borough council members, mayors, school directors and other local leaders whose decisions shape day-to-day community life — from taxes and development to policing and public services.

Those local contests, coupled with several high-stakes statewide judicial races, are driving engagement across Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Every Pennsylvania voter will see at least five judicial contests on the ballot. In addition to filling one vacancy each on the Commonwealth and Superior Courts, voters will decide whether to retain Supreme Court Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht.

The three justices, all Democrats first elected in 2015, face what has become a partisan test of the court’s balance. Retention elections are usually quiet, but this year’s campaign has drawn more than $15 million in spending from both sides.

Democratic groups are urging voters to retain all three to preserve the court’s 5–2 majority, while conservative organizations have pushed for “no” votes that could open the door for new appointments by the Republican-controlled state Senate.

Two additional appellate races round out the statewide ballot. In the Commonwealth Court race, Matthew Wolford (R) faces Stella Tsai (D) for an open seat. In the Superior Court race, Brandon Neuman (D), a Washington County judge, faces Maria Battista (R), an attorney from Clarion County.

More registered voters, higher turnout expected

Voter registration has increased across much of Southwestern Pennsylvania ahead of today’s election.

According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of State, Allegheny County currently reports about 913,000 registered voters, up from roughly 900,000 during the 2023 municipal election.

Fayette County’s registration rose slightly, from about 77,700 two years ago to 79,400 this year. In Westmoreland County, registration climbed from approximately 245,900 to 250,700 over the same period. Washington County’s latest total stands at 145,182, though comparable figures from the 2023 cycle were not readily available.

Overall, the region has seen modest growth in voter registration heading into Election Day.

In Washington County, Elections Director Melanie Ostrander said she expects turnout to come in somewhat higher than usual — a reflection of stronger early participation and a surge in mail-ballot requests.

“I expect it to be slightly higher, and that’s based on the increase in mail-in ballots we’ve received,” Ostrander said Monday. “In the past, we’d see around 13,000 requests. This year, we’ve had more than 16,700.”

As of Monday afternoon, Washington County had already received 13,979 mail ballots, an 83% return rate — right in line with previous elections.

“Our normal return rate is between 82 and 85%, so we’re right there,” she said. “Based on that and the overall number of requests, I’m projecting about 43% turnout, which is higher than we typically see for municipal years.”

Ostrander said targeted voter outreach helped drive the increase and credited her team for smooth operations.

“It’s a great thing to see people getting more involved,” she said. “Municipal elections traditionally have lower turnout, but it feels like voters are paying more attention this time.”

In Fayette County, Elections Bureau Director Marybeth Kuznik said she expects turnout to be roughly on par with past municipal cycles.

“We expect about the same turnout as for any municipal election, which unfortunately is not huge, especially for the municipal elections that follow a presidential year,” Kuznik said.

Even so, Kuznik said the county has seen more mail-in and absentee ballots than in the 2023 municipal election. However, there will be a few polling changes.

German Township 3 voters will now cast ballots at the McClellandtown Fireman’s Social Hall, 102 Blaine Ave. in McClellandtown.

Henry Clay Township voters will head to Marclay Middle School, 111 Bruceton Road in Markleysburg.

Point Marion Borough voters will go to the Point Marion Volunteer Fire Department, 1 Cheat St. in Point Marion.

She also encouraged voters to remember that local elections matter and that every vote counts — sometimes literally.

“Local elections affect your day-to-day life more than president or other ‘larger’ offices,” Kuznik said. “In the Fayette County primary this spring, several races were decided by a single vote. So make your voice heard — come out and cast your ballot.”

County races to watch

With mail ballots returned in high numbers and voter registration climbing, attention has turned to what’s on the ballot in each county.

In Allegheny County, the headline race is for Pittsburgh mayor, where Democrat Corey O’Connor faces Republican Tony Moreno in the city’s first open mayoral election since 2021. For Allegheny County Council District 9, which represents Mon Valley communities, Democrats Aaron Adams will face Republican Patrick D. Provins.

The county sheriff’s race has drawn attention as well, with Deputy Sheriff Kevin Kraus (D) seeking to retain the seat against Republican Brian Weismantle.

In Washington County, voters will decide who will become the next controller as Democrat Heather Sheatler will face Republican Pat Phillips.

Republican Recorder of Deeds Carrie Perrell and Sheriff Tony Andronas do not have opposition, securing their nominations in the spring.

There are also numerous borough council, township supervisor and school board races across the county.

In Fayette County, voters will decide two county row offices.

The Recorder of Deeds race features incumbent Republican Jon R. Marietta Jr. against Democrat James Santilli, while the Treasurer’s race pits Republican Melissa Tzan against Democrat Matthew Lancaster.

In Westmoreland County, voters will decide competitive municipal and school board seats, some of which are seeing challenges for the first time in years.

Voters in all four counties will vote whether or not to retain common pleas court judges.

Guidance from the state

On Monday, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt encouraged Pennsylvanians planning to vote in person to review information at vote.pa.gov ahead of today’s election.

He also reminded voters that unofficial results from all 67 counties will be posted as they become available after polls close at 8 p.m. at electionreturns.pa.gov.

“Municipal elections like this year’s are important because this is when voters choose the local officials who make decisions that impact their day-to-day lives,” Schmidt said. “The Department of State wants to ensure that every registered voter can make their voice heard and cast their ballot safely and securely.”

Schmidt emphasized key reminders:

• Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and anyone in line by closing time may vote.

• All completed mail ballots must be received by 8 p.m. to be counted — postmarks do not count.

• Voters who requested mail ballots but choose to vote in person must surrender their ballot and envelope at the polls. If they no longer have them, they can vote by provisional ballot.

• First-time voters or those in a new precinct must show ID.

• Voters whose names are missing from the poll book may call their county board or vote provisionally.

• Voters may request emergency absentee ballots until 8 p.m. Election Day in cases of illness, disability or last-minute absence.

• All voters have the right to assistance, privacy and freedom from intimidation. Concerns can be reported to local election officials or the state’s voter hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

Looking ahead

Turnout in last year’s statewide judicial election reached roughly 36% of registered voters, with mail ballots accounting for about one-quarter of votes cast.

Because the state’s judicial contests could be close, Allegheny and Westmoreland counties — which account for some of the largest voter populations in the region — are likely to play a major role in determining how quickly statewide results become clear.

Voters can find polling locations, track ballots and review sample ballots at vote. pa.gov.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.