LEWISTOWN — Elections officials in Mifflin and Juniata counties prepare for the May 20, 2025, Municipal Primary as candidates rush to meet the March 11 filing deadline, but voter turnout concerns persist for local races.

“As far as local offices, a majority of them, from what I’m seeing, are going to be unopposed,” said Eva Weyrich, Juniata County

Director of Elections.

The filing window opened on Feb. 18, giving candidates time to collect signatures on nomination petitions. County-level positions require 100 signatures, while most municipal offices need only 10.

“They have until the 11th to file petitions here at the local level,” Weyrich said.

Paula Hoffman, Mifflin County Director of Elections, confirmed her office updates petition submissions daily on the county website. “As they return them, I’m filling that out and posting it the next day,” Hoffman said.

The primary ballots will include numerous county and

municipal positions across both counties.

In Mifflin County, voters will elect:

• County Sheriff (4-year term)

• County Treasurer (4-year term)

• Register and Recorder/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court (4-year term)

• Magisterial District Judge 58-3-02 (6-year term)

• School board directors for Mifflin County and Mount Union Area School districts

• Township supervisors, borough council members, tax collectors, and other municipal posts

Juniata County voters face a similar slate:

– Sheriff

– Register & Recorder

– County Treasurer

– Magisterial District Judge 41-3-01 (covering Delaware, Fayette, Fermanagh, Greenwood, Monroe, Susquehanna Townships and Mifflintown, Thompsontown Boroughs)

– School board directors for Juniata County and Greenwood school districts

– Municipal officers, including supervisors, mayors, council members, and tax collectors

Documents from the Mifflin County Elections Office reveal several candidates have already submitted petitions. Many positions appear headed toward uncontested races.

For example, in Mifflin County, candidates like Diane Stewart (Ethics Forms, 2-year term), Mark R. Baker (Ethics Forms, 4-year term), and Kenneth Civitts (Bratton Township Supervisor, 6-year term) have already filed their paperwork.

The data shows incumbents or sole candidates stepping forward for positions like township supervisors in Granville, Wayne, and Oliver townships. Several tax collectors have also filed, including Tara L. McCarl (Oliver Township) and Lisa Rhone (Wayne Township).

Both elections directors expressed concern about vacant municipal positions.

“Municipal offices? Absolutely,” Weyrich said when asked if she expected vacancies. “There always is.”

Both election officials highlighted a persistent challenge: voter apathy toward local elections.

“Unfortunately,” Weyrich responded when asked about expected turnout. “People always show up when it’s like a presidential thing.”

She expressed frustration at unsuccessful efforts to boost participation. “I’ve tried posting stuff on Facebook. I’ve tried putting stuff on our website. I’ve tried different things. People just don’t care. They want to vote in the presidential election, and they don’t think the other ones are important.”

Weyrich emphasized the significance of these local contests: “And they are [important] because that’s our local government.”

For citizens considering candidacy, time grows short. Candidates must:

1. Obtain nomination petition forms from the county elections office

2. Collect required signatures (100 for county offices, typically 10 for municipal positions)

3. File completed petitions by March 11

“They have to fill out the petition, get signatures and get it back to me by March 11,” Hoffman explained.

The election will determine leadership for many townships and boroughs:

In Mifflin County: Armagh, Bratton, Brown, Decatur, Derry, Granville, Menno, Oliver, Union, and Wayne townships; and Burnham, Juniata Terrace, Kistler, Lewistown, McVeytown, and Newton Hamilton boroughs.

In Juniata County: Beale, Delaware, Fayette, Fermanagh, Greenwood, Lack, Milford, Monroe, Spruce Hill, Susquehanna, Turbett, Tuscarora, and Walker townships; and Mifflin, Mifflintown, Port Royal, and Thompsontown boroughs.

Both counties issued official notices for military and overseas voters detailing absentee ballot procedures.

These voters may register and request ballots using the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA). If time constraints prevent receiving and returning official absentee ballots, military and overseas voters may use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB).