‘Tis the season for local elections

Logan Ford, Staff writer

Election Day is less than a week away!

Although the president isn’t up for election and it’s not midterms yet, Erie still has important decisions to make.

If you’re registered at Mercyhurst, that means you get a say in those decisions and should be educated when going to cast your vote.

Among other races, Erie’s mayoral race has been well talked about.

For the first time in years, a Republican has gained major momentum going into November.

John Persinger is that Republican who brings White House experience to the table.

From the Democratic field, Joe Schember is running for the mayor’s office. He is a lifelong Erieite with strong business ties in the community.

It is refreshing to see them both run very clean races; in fact, the two men are neighbors.

Their respective sites and a YouTube search for their debates can give further insight into their policy and project ideas.

The Erie County Executive is also up this November.

Kathy Dahlkemper is the Democratic incumbent, and she is being challenged by Republican Art Oligeri.

Dahlkemper served a term in the U.S. House of Representatives for the area before running for County Executive four years ago.

Oligeri is a local businessman, and believes that his knowledge would aid him if he wins on Election Day.

As with the mayoral candidates, Dahlkemper and Oligeri’s websites in addition to their debates on YouTube can be consulted for their policy ideas and issue stances.

Local elections are often the ones in which your vote counts the most.

Erie County experienced a huge voter turnout in the 2016 election but had a staggering low turnout in the 2017 primary election.

Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

If you’re registered to vote in Pennsylvania, go online to https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx to find where your polling place is.

Be educated, and don’t miss out on exercising you right! Political rant over.