November 1 Issue - Newspaper - Page 1
Ocotober 19 2023
FREE
EDITION 8
Community News • Serving Washington County
www.theweeklyrecorder.info
Est 1888
Election Day is November 7th
2023 General Election
Republicans in Washington County
must go out and vote!
The importance of voting
in non-presidential
general elections cannot
be overstated.
There are currently
140,283 registered voters
in Washington County.
The list below shows that
the red wave of
Republican registrations
over the past six years has
given Republicans a
registration lead of over
10,000 voters over
Democrats. You would
think that Republicans
should roll through the
upcoming election
without a problem. But
that simply is not true.
Two things could happen
which could lead to an
upset of the current red
wave; 1. Non-affiliated
voters turn out in full
force and vote for
Democrats, and 2.
Republican voters simply
stay home and do not
vote. Republicans, you
cannot let this happen!
Republicans Need to
Emphasize the
Significance of Voting in
Non-Presidential
General Elections
As the nation gears up for
a series of general
elections in various states
and localities,
Republicans across the
country and in
Washington County need
to underscore the
importance of party
members participating in
these off-year elections.
In a unified effort to
increase turnout, we
cannot emphasize enough
the impact of these
elections on local
governance, policy
decisions, and the broader
direction of their party.
With no presidential
election on the horizon in
2023, the Republican
Party is placing special
focus on encouraging its
members to vote in local
and state elections. The
push is not only to secure
victories but also to
ensure that the party's
principles and values
are represented at all
levels of government.
Democrats also
historically have a much
higher vote count for
absentee ballots, giving
them significant election
leads before a single vote
is counted.
According to Washington
County Elections office
data, Democrats have
requested far more
absentee ballots for the
upcoming election.
These Absentee votes
give Democrats a huge
lead out of the starting
gate. Republicans NEED
to hit the ground voting
on election day to make
up this difference.
Republicans – Get out
and Vote
Local Republican
officials and grassroots
activists are rallying their
base with a shared
message: Every vote
counts. These elections
will determine mayors,
city council members,
county commissioners,
school boards, and state
legislators, individuals
who directly influence
policies related to
education, taxation,
public safety, and
healthcare, among others.
The emphasis on local
elections is not only seen
Checks and Balances:
These elections provide
an opportunity to
maintain a system of
checks and balances in
government.
Civic Engagement:
Voting regularly
reinforces the habit of
civic engagement and
encourages a sense of
responsibility in the
community. It strengthens
the connection between
Let’s end on a fictional
story that could be reality
if Republicans get out and
vote.
Once upon a time, the
southwestern
Pennsylvania county
called Washington,
nestled in the heart of a
bustling democracy, there
was a sense of apathy
when it came to voting in
non-presidential election
years. Many of the
Washington County Registered Voters as of 10/17/2023
Republicans
67,137 48%
Democrats
55,534 39.45%
Independents
17,613 12.75%
Washington County Absentee Ballots requested as of
10/17/2023
Democrats
10,514
Republicans
2,742
Independents
926
as a means to influence
policy but also as a
strategy to build a deep
bench of candidates for
future higher-level
positions. Many
prominent Republican
figures began their
political careers at the
local level before
ascending to state and
national positions. We
need to support these
candidates now in order
to ensure future
Republican policy is safe.
Additionally,
Republican’s should
understand that
participation in
non-presidential elections
can help counterbalance
the political landscape,
promoting a system of
checks and balances by
electing officials who
align with their
conservative values.
In a democracy, where
participation is essential,
having motivated
Republicans turn out in
non-presidential general
elections is not only
crucial for the party but
also for the health of the
democratic system as a
whole. The nation will be
watching as these
elections unfold, curious
to see how the increased
emphasis on local and
state politics will impact
the broader political
landscape.
Voting in
non-presidential years,
during midterm and
local elections, is
essential for several
reasons:
Local Impact: Many
decisions made in these
elections have a more
immediate and direct
impact on our daily lives.
They involve positions
like mayors, city council
members, school board
officials, and state
legislators who shape
policies on education,
public safety, local
infrastructure, and
taxation.
individuals and their
government, promoting a
more responsive and
accountable political
system.
Emerging Leaders:
Local elections often
serve as a training ground
for emerging political
leaders. By participating,
citizens can help identify
and support candidates
who may later run for
higher offices.
Policy Direction: The
outcome of these
elections can shape the
direction of public
policies, from education
and healthcare to
economic development
and environmental
protection, which are
crucial for our local
communities.
Representation: Voting
in non-presidential years
ensures that the diversity
of opinions in a
community or state is
adequately represented. It
is an opportunity to have
your voice heard on
issues that matter most to
you.
Impact on Future
Elections: The results of
these elections can
influence the political
climate leading up to the
next presidential election.
Momentum and
enthusiasm generated by
wins or losses can carry
over to subsequent races.
In essence, voting in
non-presidential years is
vital for maintaining a
robust democracy,
ensuring that government
decisions align with the
needs and preferences of
local communities, and
nurturing a pool of
capable leaders who can
steer the nation toward a
better future.
Republicans, you need
to take advantage of
your registration lead,
and turn those
registrations to votes on
November 7th!
Republican voters only
seemed to muster
enthusiasm every four
years when the nation
chose its president. Local
elections, like the one
scheduled for that year,
were often overlooked, as
if they held no
significance.
In Washington County, a
tight-knit community
with diverse opinions and
values, the local elections
were the backbone of
their democracy. These
elections determined the
mayor, city council,
school boards, county
commissioners, judges, to
name several. And
various initiatives that
would shape the county’s
future would be realized.
However, a general
disillusionment hung over
the county Republican
voters and only small
percentage of dedicated
Republicans made the
effort to cast their votes.
The county suffered as a
result.
One such citizen was
Jane, a lifelong
Washington County
resident. She had seen the
transformative power of
local politics and believed
in the importance of these
elections. She often
discussed local issues
with others, encouraging
them to be informed and
engaged.
As the local election day
approached, Jane decided
to act. She organized
community meetings to
discuss the key issues at
stake and to encourage
her fellow Republicans to
participate. She wanted to
make them realize that
their votes could shape
the county’s future in
significant ways, just as
much as the presidential
elections did.
Jane’s passion and
commitment were
infectious, and slowly,
more and more
Washington County
Republicans began to see
the importance of their
local elections. They
learned about the
candidates and the
policies that would
directly affect their
schools, businesses, and
public spaces. The
candidates themselves,
realizing the growing
enthusiasm, began to
engage more with the
communities, hosting
town hall meetings, and
addressing concerns.
On election day, the
county’s polling stations
were bustling with
activity. Jane and her
Republican counterparts
proudly cast their votes in
record numbers, knowing
that their voices mattered.
The local media covered
the election fervently, and
as the results rolled in, the
significance of the
election became
abundantly clear. A new
mayor was elected, city
council members
changed, school boards
flipped, new supervisors
were elected, and the
offices turned red.
Crucial conservative
policies could now be
enacted.
Over the following years,
Washington flourished.
The new leadership
invested in infrastructure,
improved education, and
tackled issues that
mattered to the county
and communities within
the county. The sense of
pride and empowerment
among the Republican
voters was palpable. They
had learned a valuable
lesson about the impact of
local elections, realizing
that they were, in many
ways, more pivotal to
their daily lives than the
presidential elections.
The story of Washington
County served as a
beacon of inspiration for
other counties and
communities. The
importance of voting in
non-presidential election
years resonated far and
wide, reminding people
that their voices could
shape their immediate
surroundings and
influence change where it
mattered most.
In the end, Washington
County’s tale was a
testament to the enduring
power of democracy and
a lesson for all that every
vote, in every election,
no matter the scale, had
the potential to shape
the future.
Republicans, Be like
Jane!
Get out and vote on
November 7th. Ensure
that your candidates are
elected to office and that
the policies of your
conservative values are
implemented. Take
advantage of your voter
registration lead, and
VOTE!
