As we approach Nov. 2, more voters are thinking about how they will cast their votes in the election, which is primarily geared toward local and statewide races.

Throughout the years, voter turnout in local elections has comprised 15 to 27 percent of eligible voters in the U.S. In comparison, 49 percent of eligible voters voted in the 2018 midterm election and 67 percent of eligible voters voted in the 2020 general election.

In Pennsylvania, voters will be voting on the following candidates: Maria McLaughlin (PA-D) or Kevin Brobson (PA-R).

A retention election will also be held for both Judge Anne Covey and Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer on the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. Two seats are up for election on the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court and candidates include incumbent Andrew Crompton (PA-R), Stacy Wallace (PA-R), Lori A. Dumas (PA-D) and David Spurgeon (PA-D). On the Pennsylvania Superior Court, Judge John T. Bender and Judge Mary Jane Bowes are up for re-election. A vacancy on the Pennsylvania Superior Court will be filled by either Timika Lane (PA-D) or Megan Sullivan (PA-R), depending on how the votes fall on Nov. 2.

In Lancaster County, Democratic candidates include Chris Hess for County Controller, Michelle Batt for Clerk of Court of Common Pleas and Dominic Castaldi for Recorder of Deeds.

Republican candidates include JoAnne Murphy for the Judge on the Court of Common Pleas, Ann M. Hess for Recorder of Deeds, Lisa K. Colon for County Controller and Mary Anater for County Clerk of Courts. Other endorsed magisterial district judge candidates Miles Bixler, Ray Sheller and Clark Bearinger. The Republican Committee of Lancaster County is also asking voters to retain Judge Leonard G. Brown III as part of the Court of Common Pleas.

The Lancaster County Democratic Committee has endorsed three candidates for Elizabethtown School District’s School Board, including Kristy Moore, Sarah Zahn and Jagger Gilleland. Paul F. Lesoine is also running for Inspector of Elections in the Elizabethtown Borough.

Other candidates that the Lancaster County Democratic Committee is supporting include Jill Kleis and Michael Corradino for Judge of Elections.

Moore previously ran in 2019 and lost, but she opted to run again, citing her desire to create change.

“I am a teacher…I have two kids in the district and I had been involved in a congressional campaign,” Moore said. “It made me realize that if you want change, you have to work for it.”

In regard to the main issues, Moore emphasizes on wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as how her opponents tend to be more extreme in their political beliefs, noting how her opponents attended the Stop the Steal rally in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6. She also highlighted concerns about her opponents’ homophobic, transphobic and otherwise discriminatory views.

On the other side of the aisle, the Republican candidates having cited concerns with sex education, the school’s response to COVID-19, critical race theory and the results of the 2020 election.

Overall, the election has become partisan, which is unexpected for a school board election. Moore noted that the significance of the race is evidenced as herself and Zahn have raised over $20,000, compared to the $1,000 Moore raised in her race in 2019.

“I wish my platform was about the quality of education and advocating at the state level about funding,” Moore said as she highlighted local issues facing the Elizabethtown Area School District, such as the potential merger of the four elementary schools.

Although Elizabethtown, Pa. leans Republican, Moore noted that herself, Zahn and Gilleland have “made it an important part of our conversations to represent everyone.” Moore emphasized that the school board is intended to be non-partisan, as well as noted that Republicans have been backing her in her campaign.

Voters are required to register to vote in the general election by Oct. 18. Applications for mail-in or absentee ballots should also be received by Oct. 26 and received by 8 p.m. on Nov. 2. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 2.

Note: The Republican Committee of Lancaster County did not respond to the Etownian’s request for an interview.