In Pennsylvania, Oct. 21, 2024 is the last day to register to vote before the Nov. 5, 2024 election.

We encourage anyone who is eligible to cast a ballot in the upcoming election to register to vote if they haven’t already done so—and then go out to vote on Election Day.

In a democracy, every vote counts, and voting isn’t just a right—it’s a responsibility, and it’s a responsibility that we should all take seriously.

We’re now less than four weeks away from a momentous U.S. presidential election. If you live in Pennsylvania, which is considered perhaps the most critical swing state during this election cycle, you might have seen or heard an ad or two about the presidential contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Or, to be more accurate, you’ve probably seen a million commercials and ads.

Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our democracy, and we’d all be much better off if more of us participated in elections—and by doing so, held elected officials accountable for their job performance, their decisions, and their actions.

Voting for the presidential candidate whose policies best reflect your own vision and hopes for the future helps ensure that that vision gets realized.

The president’s duties include appointing Supreme Court justices, signing or vetoing legislation, and serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the military. The president helps set a tone for the entire country. Who you vote for in a presidential election is an important expression of your priorities and values.

Some of us might believe that our votes don’t matter. That’s not true. Every vote matters. Some elections, especially local ones, have been decided by just a few votes, and sometimes just a single vote makes a difference. Plus, we all care about the economy, health care, schools, public safety and other important issues at the national, state, and local level. That means that we all have something at stake when it comes to the outcomes on Election Day.

In addition to the presidential race, there is also a crucial U.S. Senate race between incumbent Bob Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick. U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan is being challenged by Republican Neil Young.

State-wide races include contests for Attorney General, Auditor General, and Treasurer. 

In more local contests, State Rep. John Lawrence, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Cristian Luna in the 13th legislative district. In the 158th District, Christina Sappey, a Democrat is being challenged by Republican Tim Ayala. State Rep. Dan Williams, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Dale Hensel in the 7th District. In the 160th District, Craig Williams, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Elizabeth Moro.

In State Senate contests, John Kane, a Democrat from the 9th District, is being challenged by Mike Woodin, and incumbent Democrat Carolyn Comitta, who represents the 19th District, is being challenged by Republican Duane Milne.

Voting is important. It’s a way to honor our history as a democracy. Many people have fought and sacrificed to earn and protect our right to vote. Voting is a way to bring about change that we want to see—to make a difference in the world around us.

So make sure that you’re registered to vote, and then make sure to carry out your civic duty on Election Day.