(as published in the October/November 2024 Bucks County Women's Journal)
The Importance of Voting for Down Ballot Candidates
While Presidents and Governors propose legislation and set the tone for their terms in office, they cannot pass legislation without the support of federal and state senators and representatives.
Our state legislators pass laws affecting the environment, election administration, redistricting, gun safety, reproductive rights, taxation and many other areas affecting our lives. They oversee funding for education, economic development, law enforcement, workforce development, affordable housing, health care, public transit and infrastructure, among other things.
How to research your candidates
- Make sure you know the responsibilities of the office (see below).
- Know who will be on your ballot. (see Vote411.org, Ballotpedia.org, BallotReady.org, or Vote.org )
- Look at a candidate’s website and social media. (see Vote411.org)
- Check for mis or disinformation. Politifact.com is one of several nonpartisan resources that fact-checks social media posts by politicians, candidates, and media personalities. You can search by person, issue, or state.
- Look to trustworthy organizations. If you’re involved with or donate to a local or state-level organization, ask if they are endorsing any candidates. Unions, non-profits, and professional associations often post a list on their website. Candidates also generally list any organizations that endorse them on their sites.
It is also important to understand the role of each office holder so that you understand whether their backgrounds prepare them for the position they are running for.
What our legislators do:
United States Senate (6-year term)
The Senate is composed of 100 members (two Senators from each state). One third of the total membership of the Senate is elected every two years.Senators write and vote on final bills and serve on various policy committees. The Senate has several exclusive powers not granted to the House of Representatives including advice/consent on presidential nominations ( including Justices for federal courts and the Supreme Court), and treaties and conducting the trial of federal officials impeached by the House.
United States House of Representatives (2-year term)
The House of Representatives is composed of Representatives from each state, elected in proportion to population. There are 435 members of the House of Representatives, 17 of whom are from Pennsylvania. The House of Representatives is responsible for introducing and voting on bills, resolutions and amendments, and for approving the budget. Representatives also serve on various policy committees. The House may send Articles of Impeachment of elected officials to the Senate and elects the President if there is a tie in the Electoral College.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2-year term)
The General Assembly is the legislative branch of government in Pennsylvania. It is composed of two houses: the Senate is the upper house, and the House of Representatives is the lower house. A majority vote in both houses is necessary to pass a law.
The PA House of Representatives consists of 203 members representing one district each, with an equal number of constituents. The House develops budget packages, makes taxation decisions, allocates spending, and passes laws (including redistricting in collaboration with the Senate). The House also has the exclusive authority to impeach public officials. Representatives also serve on various policy committees that may propose legislation.
Note: There are no Bucks County candidates running for the Pennsylvania Senate on the ballot this year. (PA Senators serve for 6 years)
Other positions on the ballot this year
Pennsylvania Attorney General (4-year term)
The Attorney General serves as the Commonwealth’s chief law enforcement officer; collects all debts, taxes, and accounts due to the Commonwealth; represents the Commonwealth and all its agencies in any action brought by or against the Commonwealth; administers the provision relating to consumer protection laws; and represents the Commonwealth and its citizens in any action brought about for violation of the antitrust laws.
Pennsylvania State Treasurer (4-year term)
The State Treasurer safeguards the Commonwealth’s financial assets, which total more than $160 billion in public monies. The office manages several programs in order to better serve the financial needs of Pennsylvanians. The Treasury Department is also responsible for: reuniting unclaimed property with its rightful owner; investigating loss, theft, and fraud involving Commonwealth checks; reviewing real estate leases and contracts entered into by Commonwealth agencies; and maintaining the Pennsylvania contracts electronic library. The Treasurer has specific duties in addition to the oversight of the Department: serving as chair of the Board of Finance and Revenue, which selects banks to serve as depositories for state money; setting interest rates paid on Commonwealth deposits; and hearing and deciding state tax appeals.
Pennsylvania Auditor General (4-year term)
The Auditor General determines whether state funds are being used in accordance with the purpose and guidelines that govern each use of the Commonwealth’s dollars. The Auditor General conducts financial and performance audits of individuals, state agencies, and organizations that receive state funds, including school districts, state liquor stores, and public employee pension funds. These audits are designed to measure how effectively government programs are using public money to meet their stated goals and objectives. The office performs more than 6,000 audits each year and is responsible for auditing all Pennsylvania state programs that are allocated federal funds.
