Madison Kwiecinski – Editor-in-Chief 

mvk5945@psu.edu 

For college students, voting can oftentimes be a confusing process. However, it does not have to be and there are many ways to simplify the voting process on election day. It is also important to make sure you understand what you’re voting for in this year’s election. The election will take place on November 8, 2022.

First, you have to make sure you are registered to vote in the Erie area, or that you have made alternate plans in order to be able to vote in your district if you are not. For Behrend students who are registered to vote with Behrend as their address, you will vote at the Harborcreek Township 4 District.

For students who need transportation to the polling place from campus, a shuttle will be offered on election day. The shuttle will be stationed in the Reed Union Building parking lot, and will run on election day from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Mail-in-ballots needed to be requested by November 1 in order to receive them for this election. These ballots also must be filled out, with the outside of the envelope signed, and returned to your County’s election office by the time the polls close on November 8. They can be mailed, or dropped off by the voter at a designated ballot drop-off box.

As far as what is on the ballot this year, Pennsylvania voters are going to be voting for several different elected offices in this election. Perhaps most notably, one of Pennslylvania’s two U.S. Senate seats are on the ballot this year.

John Fetterman is the Democratic nominee for Senate, with Mehmet Oz being the Republican nominee. Additionally, Erik Gerhardt is the libertarian candidate, Richard L. Weiss as the Green party candidate, and Daniel Wassmer appearing for the Keystone party.

Pennsylvania’s current Governor Tom Wolf has exhausted his term limit, and is currently ineligible to run in this election. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor positions are listed on the ballot together, and they run as a party ticket.

Douglas Mastriano is the Republican nominee for Governor, with Carrie Delrosso running for Lieutenant Governor with him on the ballot. The Democratic nominee for Governor is Josh Shaprio, with Austin Davis joining him on the ticket for Lieutenant Governor. Matt Hackensburgh and Tim McMaster are running for Governor and Lieutenant Governor respectively, representing the libertarian party. Christina Digiulio and Michael Badges-Canning are the candidates for the Green party, while Joe Soloski and Nicole Shultz are representing the Keystone party.

For those registered in Erie, you will also be voting for the Congressional representative of District 16, as well as electing a State Representative for District

For the Congressional Representative, voters will be choosing between Dan Pastore, the Democratic nominee and Mike Kelly, the incumbent Republican candidate.

For the General Assembly representative, voters will choose between Bob Merski and Michael Pace. Pace is the Republican candidate, while Merski is the Democratic nominee.

Pennsylvania’s election this year has garnered national attention, due to the potential effects it could have on the balance in the Senate. The U.S. Senate currently has an evenly split majority, with Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, being the tie breaking vote when she presides over the Senate. Therefore, depending on the outcomes of these midterm elections, the balance could tip to either political party. The most contested Senate races are taking place in the following states: Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

Any one of these races could change the balance of the Senate. For Democrats to maintain their current balance, they need to win in at least three of these four races, with four securing a majority. Republicans can take the majority
by winning in just two of these races.

Another important Senate race to watch would be in Arizona, a state where Democrats have recently started to win in contracts to history. In the last two Senate races, the Democratic nominee has won but prior to these races a Democrat had not won in Arizona since 1988.

There are many political issues this debate could affect ranging anywhere from gun control legislation to a woman’s right to choose. With the potential shift in Pennsylvania’s Governor to the divisive balance of the Senate, it is important to get out and vote this year.