The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming Pennsylvania Municipal Election is quickly approaching. For residents who aren’t yet registered to vote in Pennsylvania, the last day to sign up to participate in the Municipal Election is Oct. 20. The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for the Municipal Election is Oct. 28.

The Municipal Election will then take place on Tuesday, November 4.

As we have often done in the past, we encourage everyone to register—and then make sure to vote. It’s very important to exercise your right to vote—including in off-year elections like this one where there are so many local positions on the ballot.

When voters go to the polls in three weeks, there are a variety of judicial positions on the ballot and several county row offices, including county controller, treasurer, and coroner. Voters will weigh in on school board races and mayoral contests. Seats on borough councils and township supervisor boards will also be decided.

These local contests are important. The elected officials at the municipal, county, and state level will make decisions that have a larger impact on our day-to-day lives than the decisions that are made by elected officials in much higher positions.

In Pennsylvania, we’ll also vote for or against the retention of judges. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest court in the Commonwealth and the final authority on interpreting the state’s laws and constitution—so future decisions on issues like election law, redistricting, education funding, workers’ rights and civil rights will be impacted greatly by the election results.

Voting isn’t just a right, it’s a responsibility. And it’s a responsibility we should all take seriously. 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. So register to vote, get informed, and make sure that your voice is heard on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4.

For much more election information, including where you vote, the county’s Department of Voter Services has a page on the Chester County website at www.chesco.org.