Today, Nov. 4, is Election Day in Pennsylvania.
On the ballot will be candidates running for judge, school board, township supervisor, borough council and other seats.
Some of the most contested races will be for school boards across York County.
Some races, including York County judicial and row offices, are uncontested. In some cases, not enough candidates are running for the open seats.
Here’s what you need to know about the election:
3 York County judges win retention votes
The three York County Common Pleas judges up for retention votes easily won 10 more years on the bench: Judges Joseph Adams, Michael Flannelly and Christopher Menges.
More: Voters retain 3 Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices, reports say
Live election results
Readers can visit York County’s elections results page for live results as they are posted.
As of 8:50 p.m., zero of 161 precincts countywide had posted results, but the county has posted results of early and mail ballots.
Voters arrive at a polling place at York Suburban Middle School Nov. 4, 2025. The York Suburban School Board race is hotly contested this year.
York mayor-elect issues statement
“I want to sincerely thank every voter who took the time to come out and make their voice heard,” said Mayor-Elect Sandie Walker. “Your participation is what keeps our city moving forward. I am deeply humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me.
«Elections remind us that York’s greatest strength lies in its people, those who care deeply about our future and work tirelessly to make a difference. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues, community partners, and residents as we continue building a stronger, more unified York.”
Walker was uncontested for the seat.
Polls closed in Pennsylvania
8 p.m. has passed on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, and polls have closed for the general election. Anyone still in line at their voting location at 8 p.m. is allowed to vote, though the area has reported few long lines.
– Harrison Jones
Dusk settles in as voters walk to vote at the Hanover second ward polling site of St. Mark Lutheran Church during the general election, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Hanover Borough.
Pre-school bake sale backgrounds the race in second ward
At St. Mark Lutheran Church, a bake sale held for the church’s preschool provided the opportunity for a sweet treat as voters made their way in and out of the polls.
Outside, Heidi Hormel, Democratic candidate for Hanover mayor, said that the turnout appeared strong for an off-year election, with voters steadily streaming past throughout the day.
«This year, for an off year, it’s been amazing,» said Hormel, in comparison to prior elections in which she had previously volunteered at the polls.
In addition to turnout, Hormel emphasized how polite the voters she encountered have been today.
By around 7 p.m., as the 8 p.m. closing time approached, the rate of incoming voters had slowed down significantly, she said.
– Harrison Jones
A sign advertises a bake sale at St. Mark Lutheran Church as the church hosts the Hanover Second Ward polls during the general election, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Hanover Borough.
Good turnout in Hanover, candidates say
Turnout in the general election has appeared much stronger than the primary election, candidates around Hanover have said.
At the polls located at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, fifth ward council competitors Isaac Riston and Ed Lookenbill Jr. both agreed that turnout seemed strong in comparison to their experience at the polls.
Across town at Hanover’s third ward polling location of the Utz Pavilion, council candidate Matthew Funk said that he had been impressed by the turnout in what he noted was a small ward, adding that things appeared much busier than they did during the primary.
– Harrison Jones
A «vote here» sign is seen near the Utz neon sign along Carlisle Street at the Hanover Borough Third Ward polling location of the Utz Pavilion during the general election, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Hanover Borough.
Glen Rock poll saw heavier than normal traffic
Bill Hall, who was handing out campaign literature at the poll in Glen Rock Borough, said voters waited in line earlier in the day to cast their ballots.
«You don’t usually see lines in a municipal election,» he said.
Hall is the spouse of Marylee Hall, who is running for re-election to the Southern York County School Board.
Bill Hall said he has worked at the polls for several years and enjoys talking with people. He wishes there were greater participation from the general population in voting.
«It’s really important,« he said.
-Teresa Boeckel
«You don’t vote, you can’t bitch»
For Dan Conrad, a 69-year-old telecommunications worker from Hallam, voting is a habit that was ingrained at a young age. He grew up on a farm, and his father was always involved in politics. «My father always said if you don’t vote, you can’t bitch about anything,» he said outside the polling place at the Friendship Fire Company in Hallam.
The off-year election, he said, is just as important as any. He said he had to do a bit of research and talk to friends to determine who to vote for.
Charlie Peters, a 68-year-old retiree from Harley-Davidson from Hallam, brought his Yorkie Buddy along to vote. An unaffiliated voter, he said he votes to do his civic duty. This election, he was drawn to the Eastern York school board race. He voted for Kristin Winand and Cindy Rose, impressed that they pledged to «end the partisan bulls—» on the school board.
«Now, if we can just get those idiots in D.C. to do that and do what they’re supposed to do,» he said.
-Mike Argento
Danilo Martinez de Jesus chatted with Charlie Peters outside the polling place at Hellam’s Friendship Fire Company on election day. Peters, a 68-year-old retiree from Harley Davidson, brought his Yorkie Buddy along when he cast his ballot.
In York Suburban
The York Suburban school board race also attracted a lot of attention for its partisan nature, something that wasn’t lost on some voters.
Dan Frey, a 43-year-old registered independent from Springettsbury Township who works at Ciocca BMW, said the school board race what attracted him to the polls. He said school boards were becoming too political and «not going in the right direction.»
School boards, he said outside the polling place at the York Suburban Middle School, «shouldn’t be a political arena.»
Tyler Ayers, a 41-year-old financial adviser from Springettsbury Township, agreed. He said he «just shows up for every election,» having worked for a decade in the past in politics, including for the Pennsylvania Republican Party.
«School boards should not be politicized,» he said.
-Mike Argento
Tyler Ayers, a 41-year-old financial advisor, voted at the York Suburban Middle School in Springettsbury Township, casting his ballot against the what he called the politicization of school boards.
Polls running smoothly across York County: commissioner
York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler offered this statement about how the election is going so far today:
«Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m. According to reports at polling stations across York County, everything seems to be running smoothly with no significant issues. Elections staff have begun pre-canvassing of vote-by-mail ballots, and those ballots will be included in the final vote count when polls close.»
–Teresa Boeckel
A Spring Grove school board election sign waves in the breeze outside a Jackson Township polling place along Route 116 outside of Spring Grove.
Business as usual in Hanover despite nearby road work
Voters have been regularly shuffling in and out of the polls around Hanover and Penn Township precincts this morning, with business mostly as usual. The scene outside of the polls has looked mostly like that of the primary so far, and things seem to be flowing smoothly.
Near Hanover’s Second and Third ward locations, road work and utility work has resulted in one-lane flagging operations on both Charles Street and on Eichelberger Street as of around 10 a.m. Tuesday. That doesn’t appear to be deterring voters, however.
– Harrison Jones
Voters file into the Hanover Fifth Ward polling location of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church during the general election, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Hanover Borough.
Some government offices closed
Be aware that some offices might be closed for Election Day.
The West Manchester Township Police Department has posted that its lobby will be closed on Election Day. Anyone who has an emergency should call 911. The office will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, the Facebook post states. Check before heading out to your destination today.
West York Borough offices are closed as well, according to a Facebook post.
– Teresa Boeckel
Cars leave after voting when the polls opened at a Springettsbury Township polling place at Mt. Zion UCC on Ridgewood Road Nov. 4, 2025.
Election day information
When: Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Are you registered? Find the status of your voter registration online at pa.gov. The deadline to register was Oct. 20.
Polling places: Look up your polling place in York County online.
Free bus rides to the polls in York County
Rabbittransit is offering free bus rides on its fixed-route service in York County on Election Day, according to a news release.
Riders will be able to board the bus without paying a fare or showing a bus pass, the release states.
Shiloh Baptist Church is subsidizing the fares for the fixed route, the release states.
Anyone with questions may contact Rabbittransit’s customer service at 1-800-632-9063.
The York Suburban School Board race is hotly contested in the Nov. 4, 2025 election.
Curbside ballot drop-off in York County
Curbside ballot collection will be offered from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day at the York County Administrative Center, 28 E. Market St. in York, according to President Commissioner Julie Wheeler.
Voters also can drop off their ballot at the Pleasant Valley Road center on Election Day as well.
Voters must return their own ballot. They cannot drop off ballots for others.
Here are the candidates on the ballot for the Nov. 4 election:
York County Court of Common Pleas
Voters selected two new judges for the York County Court of Common Pleas: local attorneys Chris Ferro and Paul W. Minnich won the seats. It is a 10-year term.
Both candidates are well-known lawyers in York County. They were rated as highly qualified to serve as judges by members of the York County Bar Association.
The following judges won retention votes on the ballot: Joseph C. Adams, Michael W. Flannelly and Christopher N. Menges.
York County Bar Association poll: See what local attorneys think of the judges up for retention.
Dover School Board race posters at a polling place at the Dover Township Community building Nov. 4, 2025.
York County District Attorney
York County District Attorney Tim Barker will be the only candidate on the ballot for the position. It is a four-year term.
Barker, a Republican, won in the primary against challenger Jack Graybill, II, an attorney and former Spring Garden Township Police Officer.
No one is running on the Democratic ticket.
Barker was appointed in January to fill out the term of former York County District Attorney Dave Sunday, who now is serving as Pennsylvania Attorney General.
Voters in York County will receive this «I Voted» sticker during the 2025 general election and the 2026 primary. It was designed by Christopher Dasir, a fifth-grade student at Logos Academy.
York County Controller
Gregory Bower, a Republican, is running unopposed in the election. It is a 4-year term.
He has served in the position since 2018.
York County Coroner
Tania Zech, Republican, is uncontested in the election. It is a four-year term.
She is expected to succeed Pam Gay, who is retiring at the end of her third term in office. Gay endorsed Zech, who serves as chief deputy coroner.
Recorder of Deeds
Laura Shue, a Republican, is the only candidate on the ballot. It is a four-year term.
She has served as recorder of deeds since 2018.
District Judge races
Only one candidate is on the ballot for each of the three district judge races. Each candidate cross-filed in the primary and were uncontested.
It is a six-year term.
District Judge 19-1-05:
Joel Toluba, cross-filed
The district serves wards 5, 9-1 and 9-2 in the City of York.
District Judge 19-2-04
Jeffrey L. Oberdorf, cross-filed
The district serves Manchester Township.
District Judge 19-3-11
Robert Eckenrode, cross-filed
The district serves the boroughs of Hallam, Manchester, Mount Wolf, and Wrightsville along with East Manchester and Hellam townships.
City of York
Mayor
Sandie Walker, a Democratic candidate, is uncontested in the election.
She is expected to succeed Mayor Michael Helfrich, who decided not to seek re-election. He has endorsed Walker.
City Council
Two Democratic candidates — Betsy Buckingham and Ryan Supler — are uncontested for the two seats on the council. It is a four-year term.
(This story was updated to add new information and photos.)
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Live coverage: 2025 municipal and judicial elections in York County PA
