Your Voice, Your Vote: The races abc27 will be watching today - abc27 WHTM

Your Voice, Your Vote: The races abc27 will be watching today

Tuesday is election day, and across Pennsylvania polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

In addition to the Presidential race, abc27 is following a number of state and local races as well.

Everyone in the state will be asked to cast a vote in the race for U.S. Senate. Democratic incumbent Bob Casey will face off against challenger Tom Smith. Casey is seeking a second term in office. Smith is a political newcomer who made a fortune in coal mining.

Another statewide race is for attorney general. Former prosecutor Kathleen Kane is the Democratic candidate. She'll go up against Republican Cumberland County District Attorney Dave Freed. Polls show Kane has the edge in this race. If chosen by voters, she would be the first woman and the first Democrat elected to the post.

The 15th State Senate district is seeing a hotly-contested race to replace retiring Senator Jeff Piccola. Republican John McNally is up against Democrat Rob Teplitz. The district covers Harrisburg and its suburbs.

Republican Lou Barletta and local activist Gene Stilp will face off for a Congressional race, which comes from a newly-drawn map. Barletta is the freshman Congressman who currently represents the northeastern part of the state. The new district now stretches down to include a portion of the midstate. Stilp gained local notoriety from his creative protests at the State Capitol, including the giant pink pig.

It's important to note you do not need to show identification to vote. Poll workers may ask you for a photo id, but you are allowed to refuse.

Abc27's team of reporters will fan out all across the state to cover the big races. We will bring you live team coverage throughout the day and night on abc27 and abc27.com.