NEWTON, Pa. – As the 2026 midterm elections approach, voters across Bucks County are gearing up to cast their ballots on Tuesday. Community members say they want representatives who prioritize the needs of everyday families over personal ambition.
“My biggest concern is to get people into government again who care about the people they’re serving more than serving themselves,” said Marianne Alt of Newtown during an Action News interview on Monday night. Alt added that many residents feel “lied to” about the economy and are eager for leaders who will address their daily struggles.
At a rally for Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity, Joanie Keehn, also of Newtown, highlighted the issues that matter most to local voters: “To keep the Republicans in office as much as we can, our country’s safety, immigration laws, keeping boys out of girls’ sports, abortion issues,” she explained.
Political analyst Christopher Nicholas noted the unusual nature of this election cycle, with both state and federal legislative chambers up for election. “It is rare in a midterm to have both houses in Congress and both houses in Harrisburg be up for play… Things are on a nice edge everywhere,” he said.
Nicholas said voters are focused on concrete concerns such as the cost of gas, food, and electricity. “I think a lot of regular folks are worried about what the administration is doing or not doing in DC to look at those issues,” he observed, adding that these worries could drive higher turnout.
Mail‑in voting trends are mixed, according to Nicholas. Some areas are seeing an increase in mail‑in ballots, while others remain flat or are even declining. As of Monday night, more than one million mail‑in ballots had been returned statewide, with over 250,000 still outstanding.
Lauren Cristella, president of the Committee of 70, expressed optimism about voter participation. “We are looking at record‑breaking turnout in the places with competitive elections,” she said on Monday afternoon.
Data from the 6abc ballot tracker confirms that Bucks County currently leads the state in voter turnout. Local residents echoed the sentiment that voting is a powerful tool for change. “The vote is all you really have. So people have to get out and use their vote, and you can see some change. Hopefully we will see some change tomorrow,” said Patrick Tarrant of Newtown.
Victor Lopez of Bensalem agreed, emphasizing that voting is the best way to ensure elected officials understand the community. “More than anything, I just want somebody who can understand the people,” Lopez said.
What Voters Need to Know
In addition to the gubernatorial race, Bucks County voters will decide key House seats that could affect the balance of power in Washington. Early voting locations remain open through Saturday, and absentee ballot applications can be submitted online or at designated municipal offices.
Election officials remind voters to bring a valid photo ID to the polls and to verify their polling place ahead of time. For those who prefer mail‑in voting, the deadline to request a ballot is Friday at 5 p.m., with completed ballots due by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Community groups across the county are organizing transportation to polling sites and offering informational booths to help voters understand the ballot measures and candidate platforms.
With concerns ranging from economic stability to immigration enforcement and family values, Bucks County residents are poised to make their voices heard in what many expect to be a decisive midterm election.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
