Elections are approaching in Pennsylvania, and residents are being reminded of important deadlines to participate in the upcoming general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voter registration must be completed by Monday, Oct. 20, either in person at the Westmoreland County Election Bureau or online through the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website at vote.pa.gov. Registered voters can also check or update their information on this site.
The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 28. After an application is processed by the county election bureau, ballots will be sent with instructions for completion and submission; these must arrive at the office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters may also visit Greensburg to request, receive, complete, and submit a mail-in ballot in one trip after confirming availability with the county election office.
This year’s general election includes statewide and countywide judicial races. Open seats exist in both the Commonwealth Court and Superior Court of Pennsylvania, while several judges face retention votes across different courts:
– In Commonwealth Court: Judge Michael Wojcik is up for retention; Democrat Stella Tsai and Republican Matthew Wolford seek an open seat.
– In Superior Court: Judge Alice Dubow faces retention; Maria Battista (Republican) and Brandon Neuman (Democrat) compete for another open seat.
– The Supreme Court has no open seats but Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David N. Wecht are up for retention.
– Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas seats held by Harry Smail Jr., Scott Mears, and Tim Krieger are under consideration.
Information about recent judicial decisions can be found at pacourts.us under “News and Statistics” followed by “Cases of Public Interest.” Details on judicial elections are available on the same site under “How do the Pennsylvania Courts operate” then “How Judges are Elected.”
Applications are now open for the January 2026 class at Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA). This program provides a second chance for teens who risk not graduating high school or dropping out entirely. KSCA offers leadership training, self-discipline development, job skills education, physical fitness instruction, community service opportunities, meals, housing, uniforms, and supplies free of charge. Prospective cadets can now apply online using a new eligibility checker at pa.gov/ksca or request forms via email or phone.
September marks Child Passenger Safety Month. Parents and caregivers are reminded that children up to age two must use rear-facing car seats; those under four require approved safety seats; booster seats are needed until age eight; children twelve years old or younger should ride buckled in a vehicle’s back seat due to airbag risks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends keeping children in car seats as long as they fit manufacturer requirements.
“College campuses are meant to be bastions of free speech, intellectual battlegrounds where diverse ideas can be openly discussed,” said Representative Jill Cooper (R-Export). She continued: “Regardless of your political party or if you agreed with him or not, Charlie Kirk is dead today because someone didn’t like what he had to say. This should outrage every single one of us. Politic violence is not the way. The senseless loss of life underscores the need for open discourse and to unite against hatred and violence in all its forms.”
“It is why, as Americans, we should embrace not only our right to speak but to choose our elected leaders,” added Rep. Cooper.
For more details about voting procedures or local programs mentioned above:
– Visit vote.pa.gov for voter registration information
– Learn more about KSCA opportunities at pa.gov/ksca
Contact information for Representative Jill Cooper’s office remains available through RepJillCooper.com or Facebook.com/RepJillCooper.
