What’s happening on Nov. 7?
“We, the People” will be voting in the Fall 2023 General Municipal Election. We will be deciding who will represent us in a variety of state (judges), county, township and borough positions, as well as deciding the critically important school board positions.
Why is this election important?
The positions listed above, arguably, have much more impact on our daily lives than do state senators and representatives, or national officers. Moreover, this election will decide how our schools are managed. Nothing is more important than our children’s education. The Central Bucks School Board is currently in the national news, due to contentious issues regarding many decisions made by the current school board. Yes, this election is important.
Who can — and should — vote?
Every U.S. citizen who has attained the age of 18 by Election Day, has resided in Pennsylvania and their current election district for at least 30 days before Election Day (i.e., since Oct. 7) can, and should, register and vote. These important decisions should not be made only by AVs (citizens who always vote). Rather, they should also be made by SVs (citizens who sometimes vote — usually only in presidential elections) and by NVs (people who have never voted). If not now, when?
This is a plea to the NVs – let Nov. 7, 2023 be the election where you unmute yourself, take a stand, exercise your power, take responsibility. Commit to this being your first election. Here’s how:
Are you voting for the first time? Welcome to the “club” of Americans who fully exercise their right and duty of citizenship. Here’s what to do.
1. Register to vote. Two easy ways to do this:
(a) go to VOTE411.org and hit the “Register to Vote” button, or (b) go to pavoterservices.pa.gov. You can also register in person at the Bucks County Administration Building. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 23. Don’t procrastinate.
2. Learn what positions you will be voting for and who the candidates for these positions are by going to Vote411.org. By simply entering your home address, you will be given a list of the positions and candidates you will be voting for. (You can even print out your selection of candidates and take it with you to your polling precinct.)
3. Make your voting decisions after studying multiple trusted sources, including the nonpartisan (a) Vote411.org, (b) the Bucks County Voters Guide, published Thursday Oct. 19 in the Bucks County Herald, and (c) the Spotlight PA.org election center.
4. Decide whether you prefer to vote in person or via a mail-in ballot. If you prefer to vote in person, show up at your voting precinct (the address of your precinct will be provided to you by Vote411.org ) between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Nov. 7.
You will (a) give your ID to the check-in poll worker, who will confirm that you are registered to vote and are in the correct precinct, (b) sign your name in the poll book and be given a paper ballot, (c) complete your ballot in a private cubicle, and (d) insert your ballot into the scanner.
That’s it. You have voted. You will feel good.
If you prefer to vote by mail-in ballot, request one at pavoterservices.gov or in person at the Bucks County Administration Building before Oct. 31. Complete your ballot and very carefully follow the directions for returning the ballot. If you don’t follow all directions, your ballot may not count. Be sure to post the mail-in ballot early enough to meet the 5 p.m. Election Day-deadline, or hand deliver it to a drop box or to the Board of Elections in the Bucks County Administration Building.
If you change your mind and decide to vote in person, you must turn in the complete mail-in ballot package at your precinct when you arrive to vote.
Commit to vote. Register. Study. Decide. Vote.
Cathy Morano is a member of the League of Women Voters of Bucks County, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing voter education and services and advocating for issues. It envisions a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.
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