Every semester, it feels like midterm exams start earlier and earlier, sneaking up on students as soon as they’re getting into the groove of their new schedule.
On a presidential off-year, students can treat election day like another day to sleep-in or procrastinate studying for their next exam. Oftentimes, people don’t vote for local offices, because they don’t know the candidates’ policies or the positions up for election.
According to States United, a nonpartisan organization, the 2020 presidential election saw a 63% voter turnout, yet in the 2022 midterm elections, only 44% of eligible voters cast their ballot.
While it may seem like there’s nothing to do for the next four years after a president is elected, local and midterm races still impact the everyday lives of Americans.
Since President Donald Trump’s second-term inauguration, his policies have flooded nearly every news site and social media algorithm. Comparatively, there’s much less advertising for midterm candidates and local positions.
Additionally, 36 states will have governor elections on the midterm ballot. State and municipal legislature seats will also appear on many ballots.
For Lehigh students registered to vote in Bethlehem, there are pivotal local races this year to focus on that will decide the next governor or change the majority in Congress.
It’s important to know what the candidates stand for — here’s the information you need to ace this midterm:
Incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro is running against Republican Stacy Garrity in Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial election.
In Shapiro’s first term, he passed the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit — a state tax credit worth 10% of federal tax credits — that will benefit Pennsylvanians come tax season.
Since Trump’s second-term, Shapiro has pushed back on the president’s policies by suing the Trump administration over two dozen times.
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity is challenging Shapiro’s reelection. Endorsed by Trump, Garrity denied Trump’s loss of the 2020 election and has recently shown support on X for tax cuts in Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.
Garrity previously celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade and advocated for defunding Planned Parenthood, but has since clarified she would respect Pennsylvania’s abortion law and wouldn’t support a ban.
Shapiro has historically been in support of protecting access to abortion and has reaffirmed his commitment to reproductive healthcare in Pennsylvania during this election cycle.
After the 2024 election, Republicans hold the majority in both chambers of congress.
The House of Representatives has a narrower majority, with 218 Republicans and 214 Democrats. The Senate is held by 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.
Even with the Republican majority and a Republican president, midterms can flip party control.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are on the 2026 midterm ballot and 33 or 34 seats in the Senate are on the ballot.
According to an analysis piece by The Guardian, Democrats are favored to take over the House of Representatives.
Incumbent Republican Ryan Mackenzie and Democrat Bob Brooks are running for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.
Rep. Mackenzie is endorsed by Trump and has been affiliated with Elon Musk — the world’s first trillionaire and the richest person — alongside other Republican congress members up for reelection. According to The Morning Call, Musk has spent over $276 million since July to keep the Republican majority.
Endorsed by Shapiro, Brooks is a former Bethlehem firefighter who has raised over $2 million for his campaign through individual donations and $192,250 from political committees.
Last year, Mackenzie voted to triple the ICE budget to $30 million as a part of the Big Beautiful Bill.
In an opinion piece published by The Morning Call, Brooks said he’s against the Trump administration’s handling of ICE, but supports a secure border and an agency that encourages legal immigration.
Instead of planning election day around your next exam, stop by the ballot box on Nov. 3 and cast your vote.
And for this midterm, you’ll get the results the night of.
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