Election 2026

Polls are open in Pennsylvania for the 2026 general election and will remain open until 8 p.m. Here are some key things to know as you head out to vote or await returns.

From the stage to the seats to the hallways, civility prevailed Thursday night as an overflow crowd of spectators and journalists filled WVIA's Jenkins Twp. studios for the 8th District congressional debate between Rep. Rob Bresnahan and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti.

Pennsylvania's two gubernatorial campaigns touched down in Luzerne County less than 24 hours apart, with Gov. Josh Shapiro and Treasurer Stacy Garrity making their cases before Northeast Pennsylvania audiences and stumping for members of their respective parties.

The hour-long debate will take place in the WVIA studios in Pittston, starting at 7 p.m. Read on for details about how to watch and listen on the station's broadcast and digital platforms.

Pennsylvania’s top election official, Secretary of State Al Schmidt, said the state "expects everyone observing polling places to follow all state and federal laws" — and those laws don't give monitors authority to police voters themselves.

NASA awarded the University of Scranton a $5.5 million grant to lead a space education and citizen science initiative focused on space weather and amateur radio.

The matchup between Democratic Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan ranks ninth in advertising spending among 21 U.S. House races considered tossups nationwide.

Veronica Grace Boland, of Scranton, was the first woman from Pennsylvania elected to Congress. She was elected in 1942 to serve out the last two months of her husband Patrick's term after he died.

U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, a Republican, has investments totaling at least $16.4 million. His Democratic opponent, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, reported investments of at least $1.4 million.

Democratic challenger Rachel Wallace met Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser Tuesday night for the only scheduled debate between the two Pennsylvania 9th Congressional District candidates at Penn State Schuylkill in Schuylkill Haven.