“I Voted” stickers were handed out for those who dropped off their ballots in secure envelopes in the parking lot of the Butler County Bureau of Elections on Cunningham Street on Nov. 4, 2024. Butler Eagle File Photo

Rob McGraw

Tuesday, May 19, is the primary election in Pennsylvania, and although Butler County only has a few locally contested races, all Butler residents who are registered Republicans or Democrats have the opportunity to determine members of their respective state committees.

Those living in Cranberry, Jackson or Adams townships, and those living in Mars, Zelienople, Seven Fields, Evans City, Valencia or Callery, also have the chance to play a role in determining the future of the 12th District for the state House of Representatives.

The 12th District seat remains empty after Stephenie Scialabba resigned earlier this year. The winner of the Republican race between Ethan Nicholas and Scott Timko will likely go on to compete in a special election this summer to fill the remainder of Scialabba’s term, and then the November race to secure the seat for a full 2-year term.

On the Democratic ballot for the 12th District is Brandon Dukes, who is uncontested in the Tuesday primary. Assuming he secures the most votes on the ballot, he’ll face off against Nicholas or Timko.

Tuesday is a day you can go out and put your opinions into action. Pennsylvania residents can only vote within the political party they are registered in during the primaries, but that has big implications for the November midterm elections, when all candidates selected now will go up against one another.

And even in the uncontested races, you should still fill out a ballot. Good voter turnout demonstrates an engaged public, a citizenry that wants to show up for governmental procedures even when the stakes seem low. Even a metric as simple as voter turnout can show the people who end up in elected positions that their constituents are paying attention.

Polls in Butler County are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, and information about the ballot you will fill out at your precinct is available at the Butler County Bureau of Elections website.

Be informed and be engaged. Cast a vote every election you can.

— ET & TL