Why Butler County residents shoudl get out and vote for Tuesday’s primary
Tuesday, May 19, is the primary election in Pennsylvania, and although Butler County only has a few locally contested races, all Butler Countians who are registered Republicans and Democrats have the opportunity to determine members of their respective state committees.
Those in Cranberry, Jackson, Adams townships or in Mars, Zelienople, Seven Fields, Evans City, Valencia and 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 and will likely go on to compete in a special election this summer and 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 that you can go out and put your opinions into action. Pennsylvania residents can only vote within the political party they are registered in, 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 chance you get.
— ET & TL
