What do I mean by “Just Vote?”
A non-partisan request for active participation!
In a highly charged political environment we just want to take a moment to encourage folks to vote. The general election on November 8th has some critical Commonwealth offices: namely governor and US senate in addition to other commonwealth-wide and local offices.
As Americans, we are fortunate to have the freedom to vote, as we wish. One of my friends from childhood works with NGO’s in parts of the world devastated by conflict and instability. On a number of occasions we have talked about the freedoms that Americans enjoy, particularly compared to those less fortunate parts of the world. Since we have the freedom to vote without danger, let’s get out there and vote!
Part of voting is moving beyond parties and partisanship. A democracy relies on an informed and active electorate. To quote Thomas Jefferson: “The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate” and “people are the only safe depositories of their own liberty, and that they are not safe unless enlightened to a certain degree, I have looked on our present state of liberty as a short-lived possession unless the mass of the people could be informed to a certain degree.” To support folks making informed decisions I have collected links to candidate and party websites. Check these resources out if you are looking for more information. See you at the polls!
Added note, since I have a number of clients in Ohio and NY, I feel compelled to provide links to following resources:
Important Dates
Monday, October 24th.
- Deadline for voter registration, your application must be received by this date, NOT just postmarked.
- Online registration is available.
Tuesday, November 1st.
- Application deadline for absentee ballot.
- You can apply for an absentee ballot online.
Tuesday, November 8th.
- Deadline to return absentee ballots
- Polls are open from 7am to 8pm.
Non-partisan Information
- Vote PA
- Ballotpedia Pennsylvania
- Vote 411 (League of Women Voters)
- Commonwealth Redistricting Maps. Includes information about the Commonwealth’s legislature and US Congressional districts
Republican Party Links
Democratic Party Links
Top Races
US Senate
US House
- District 16 (Butler County, Lawrence, Mercer, Crawford & Erie)
- District 17 (Beaver and NW Allegheny)
- Christopher Deluzio (Democrat)
- Jeremy Shaffer (Republican)
- Walter Sluzynsky (Independent, Write-in)
Governor
- Josh Shapiro (Democrat)
- Doug Mastriano (Republican)
- Christina Digiulio (Green)
- Joseph Soloski (Keystone Party of Pennsylvania)
- Matt Hackenburg (Libertarian)
State Senate
- District 21, 37, and 47. No election this year.
- District 38
- District 50
- Rianna Czech
- Michele Brooks (incumbent)
State House
- District 8: Aaron Bernstine (i)
- District 11: Marci Mustello (i)
- District 12
- District 14
- Bruce Carper
- Jim Marshall (incumbent)
- District 15
- District 16