Election Day storylines: What to watch

About a third of Western Pennsylvania’s voters were expected to cast ballots in today’s election, deciding key races for local, county and state office.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 8 p.m.

Allegheny County spokeswoman Abigail Gardner said there was one report of a delay in opening. Pittsburgh 12-14, 12-15 and 12-16 precincts, all at the Chadwick Center polling location, were delayed due to equipment being locked away in a part of the building to which election volunteers did not have immediate access. Gardner said staff has since accessed the locked equipment and began setting up the polling.

Claudia Stewart was among a handful of voters who cast their ballot before 9 a.m. at Hilltop Hose in Harrison.

There wasn’t a specific race that concerned Stewart, rather it was her civic duty that brought her out.

The 78-year-old said she’s never missed an election, whether it’s a presidential race or an off-year.

“My dad was a medic in WWII and he fought so we have the right to do this,” Stewart said. “When I turned 18, he took me to register and told me I better vote every time.

“People in other countries don’t have these same rights we do and people here need to appreciate it.”

In O’Hara, Emma Vlahos cast her vote to protect her future.

“I believe in women’s rights and I want to make sure they are retained.”

Voters at New Kensington’s AK Research Park poll said it was their civic duty to vote.

“I vote every election,” said Mike Kelly. Though he declined to say who got his votes, he said new energy in local politics was among his priorities.

“I’d like to see some younger people get in place and continue the growth in New Kensington.”

New candidates also were on the mind of voter Shawnne Harris.

“I don’t like the way the country is headed. We need some changes,” she said.

At the Allegheny County elections warehouse, staff has begun the process of inspecting the outer envelopes of mail in ballots.

All was mostly quiet at the two polling places at Plum High School shortly after the polls opened. Ten voters had cast their ballot by 7:15 a.m., and there was no line at either polling place.

In Armstrong County, election officials were grappling with an incorrect ballot for Ford City council. Though four seats are open this year, the county’s official ballot instructs voters to “Vote for no more than three.” As of 12:30 p.m. county election officials said ballots that choose four candidates will be accepted.

Here’s a look at some of the storylines to watch on Election Day:

Statewide judicial races

Three Democratic justices on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court — Christine Donohue of Pittsburgh, David Wecht of Indiana Township and Kevin Dougherty of Philadelphia — are up for retention votes. All three are completing their first 10-year term, and voters will vote “yes” or “no” on whether they believe the justices deserve another term.

Retention races typically don’t attract much attention, and only once since 1968 has a justice up for a retention vote failed to be retained. This year has been different, with campaign committees for the justices and outside groups spending nearly $12 million by late October to influence the outcome of the races.

Commonwealth Court Judge Michael Wojcik of Fox Chapel and Superior Court Judge Alice Beck Dubow of Philadelphia, both Democrats, also are up for retention votes.

There also are contested races for seats on both of those courts, with Republican Matt Wolford of Erie County facing Democrat Stella Tsai of Philadelphia for Commonwealth Court; and Republican Maria Battista of Clarion County, Democrat Brandon Neuman of Washington County and Liberal Party member Daniel Wassmer of Pike County running against each other for Superior Court.

County, local races

In Allegheny County, 13 candidates are vying for eight seats on the Common Pleas Court bench, while seven incumbent judges are up for retention votes. There also are contested races for eight county council seats, and incumbent Sheriff Kevin Kraus, a Democrat, faces a challenge from Republican Brian Weismantle.

In Westmoreland County, Common Pleas Court Judges Tim Krieger, Scott Mears and Harry Smail Jr. are up for retention votes, while Common Pleas Court Judge Matt Schimizzi is seeking his first 10-year term on the county bench in an uncontested race. Schimizzi was appointed to the bench this year.

Five Republicans are unopposed in races for row offices in Westmoreland. District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli, Clerk of Courts Megan Loughner and Prothonotary Gina O’Barto are seeking their second terms, while Katie Pecarchik is seeking her first term as register of wills, and John Ackerman is seeking his first term as coroner.

Ballots in both counties also will feature a number of contested races for municipal offices and school boards.

Pittsburgh mayor

Perhaps the highest-profile local race is the contest for mayor of Pittsburgh.

Democrat Corey O’Connor, 41, of Point Breeze, faces Republican nominee Tony Moreno, 57, of Brighton Heights. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey was defeated in the Democratic primary in May and will leave office early next year after serving one term.

O’Connor has been Allegheny County controller since 2022 and previously served on Pittsburgh City Council for about a decade. Moreno is a former city police officer.

Paper ballots

Voters in Westmoreland County will have the option of using paper ballots on Election Day.

While voters can still use touch-screen voting machines at their polling places, county officials also are giving voters the option of using pencil and paper.

The county spent about $40,000 to print about 70,000 paper ballots.