As election day approaches, it’s easy to rely on the party label next to a candidate’s name when making decisions at the ballot box. But in Pennsylvania, particularly for certain local offices like school board director, things aren’t always as straightforward as they appear.
Pennsylvania allows a process called cross-filing for local nonpartisan offices. What does this mean? Essentially, a candidate registered with one political party can appear on the ballot as the nominee of another party – or even on multiple party lines. So, a registered Democrat might appear as the Republican candidate, and vice versa. The goal of cross-filing is to allow more competition in local elections, but it also means that party affiliation listed on the ballot may not reflect a candidate’s actual political registration or philosophy, which is the case in this election.
For offices like school board director, tax collector, or municipal judge, this can be especially confusing because these positions are supposed to be nonpartisan by nature. Your vote has a real impact on local policy, school budgets, and the direction of your community – but the name on the ballot may not tell you the full story.
So what can voters do?
- Research your candidates thoroughly. Don’t rely solely on the party label printed on the ballot. Check their personal websites, social media, and any public appearances/forums.
- Understand their positions. Look for details about how they plan to address issues that matter to you: taxes/school funding, educational programs, curriculum priorities, and fiscal responsibility, etc.
- Engage with the community. Attend school board meetings, email/direct message them to ask questions directly and get a sense of their vision.
- Share accurate information. Encourage friends and neighbors to research their local candidates, too – especially in races where cross-filing might be in play – like in our local Avonworth School Board Election.
In local elections, every single vote matters, and informed voters help ensure that our schools and communities are guided by leaders who are truly committed to their responsibilities.
Take the time to look beyond the name and the party listed next to it (which is the case in this election) and make your vote count for the issues and values you care about!
💡 Share this with friends and neighbors so everyone can make an informed choice!
✨ And if you want a proven advocate for all our children and community, please plunk for me!
