Every vote still matters in Mifflin and Juniata

Local officials make decisions that reach directly into everyday life. They oversee how roads are maintained, how taxes are spent, and how emergency services are funded. They set the tone for community priorities and growth. Yet municipal elections often draw the smallest crowds to the polls. In some precincts, fewer than one in four registered voters show up.

That apathy leaves a handful of ballots deciding policies for thousands. It’s easy to assume one vote makes little difference, but history suggests otherwise. Across Pennsylvania, local contests are frequently decided by margins you could count on one hand. A tie once settled a township race by drawing lots. When turnout is low, every ballot carries more weight, not less.

The process itself has never been more accessible. Voters can cast their ballots in person at familiar polling places or apply for a mail-in ballot through their county election office. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot was Oct. 28, and all ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. For most residents, polling locations will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

These elections are about more than partisanship. They are about stewardship, who will maintain bridges, oversee public safety, and support local schools. The people running for office are neighbors and small-business owners. They are not distant politicians; they are members of the same communities that depend on the outcome.

Voting is also an act of accountability. When citizens participate, they send a signal that local decisions are being watched and evaluated. When they stay home, the message is silence, and silence often benefits the status quo. Whether one believes the county is moving in the right direction or not, the ballot box remains the only equal forum for expression.

In a year when national politics can feel divisive and exhausting, the simplest way to cut through the noise is to focus close to home. The ballot in Mifflin and Juniata counties will include county offices, borough councils, township supervisors, and judicial races. Each one shapes the future of this region in real, tangible ways.

Voting requires only a few minutes. Its effects can last for years. Democracy works best when everyone takes part and falters when only a few do. Take the time to make your voice count. The direction of your community depends on it.