(Photo Credit: Schoolhouse Rock)
Originally published by The Gettysburg Times on February 18, 2025.
After the dizzying intensity of a presidential election year, interest in future elections often wanes. Not dazzling by any means, but of incredible importance for the direct impact these (sometimes volunteer) positions have on residents, local elections invite voters to participate in one of the most fundamental parts of our Democracy – deciding who will sit in the seats of local power.
This year, Pennsylvania’s primary elections will take place on May 20th. However, much must happen before that date.
First, regular people must decide if they are going to run for office. Here’s a handy questionnaire for those considering candidacy.
- Do you trust public school educators who have degrees in Education, more experience than you, and exemplify a serious separation of Church and State which includes not discriminating students, staff, and faculty on prohibited bases of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability in order to implement state standard curricula and provide materials, including their choice, rooted in their expertise, of any and all books, for their students?
If yes, then you should run for your local school board.
- Do you believe it is the responsibility of law enforcement to remain apolitical in order to ensure safe, free, and fair elections, to be transparent in all public interactions which include wearing cameras at all times, to hold fellow officers accountable for their misconduct, to treat all racial and ethnic groups equally and respectfully, to use active listening, verbal commands, and non-threatening body language to try to de-escalate tense situations, to support lawful expressions of First Amendment rights, to only use the force necessary and proportionate to the proposed threat, to provide equal protection under the Law, and to recognize the critical role that immigrant laborers hold in Adams County?
If yes, then you should run for Adams County Sheriff.
- Do you believe in properly receiving and depositing all county funds including those of the county, school districts, and other government agencies, investing funds that aren’t used right away, working with tax collectors to collect real estate and per capita taxes, administering short- and long-term debt financing, safekeeping unclaimed money and property from deceased residents, acting as an agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to sell licenses and permits, and generally not stealing from the taxpayers?
If yes, then you should run for Adams County Treasurer.
- Do you believe in expanding affordable housing, public green and recreational spaces, recycling initiatives, and renewable energy sources, advancing accessibility, and reducing traffic congestion?
If yes, then you should run for Township Supervisor.
- Do you believe in applying Pennsylvania state law in Adams County among individuals and entities like government agencies, corporations, religious organizations, wealthy magnates, popular politicians, and the like in a fair and just manner?
If yes, then you should run for Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas Judge District 51.
- Would you like to assess, collect, and disperse court costs, fees, fines, and restitution, process contempt issues regarding delinquent payments, as well as handle other tasks relating to summary appeals, juvenile delinquency, dependency, miscellaneous dockets, Orphans’ Court matters, constables, private detectives, and bail bondsmen?
If yes, then you should run for Adams County County Clerk.
(To be certain of exactly which positions you are eligible to run for, consider using the app Activote. Once you enter your resident street address, all positions for which you are eligible to run will be listed for you.)
Second, those interested in being elected to the above positions must file paperwork with the Adams County Board of Elections (ACBE) which is located on the first floor of the Straban Township Building on Greenamyer Avenue. The ACBE has friendly staff who can give you important information about the position you seek.
Third, you must obtain signatures of support for the position you’re running for and you must submit those signatures by March 11th. With the correct number of signatures filed by the deadline, your name will appear on the primary election ballot for May 20th.
Fourth, if you are a registered Democrat, check in with your Adams County Democratic Committee. They guide candidates through the process, especially first-timers.
And if you have all of your ducks in a row, well, you’ve been campaigning the whole time. Maybe you knocked on the doors of your would-be constituents to receive their support. Perhaps you’ve built a website outlining your positions as well as linking to a fundraising website. You might submit Letters to the Editor to local papers in order to enlighten a broader audience about your positions. If your campaign has enough money, you might advertise it through literature, postcards, yard signs, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and/or buttons.
However you choose to pursue your campaign, the most important thing is to RUN for something, not walk.
Beth Farnham
Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District
Beth Farnham for Congress 