BELLEFONTE — On Nov. 4, Centre County voters will cast ballots not only in statewide judicial races but also for a number of municipal offices.

Often overlooked, these positions — including township supervisors, borough council members, mayors, school board members, election officials and tax collectors — handle the issues that hit closest to home — education, safety and how our communities are governed.

This guide outlines the candidates appearing on Centre County’s ballot within our coverage area, based on publicly available information from the county elections office. Please note, this list may not include every candidate — particularly those running write-in campaigns.

On that first Tuesday in November, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To find your polling place, visit www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx.

For voters who cannot cast their ballots in person, completed mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by your county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. In Centre County, processing of mail-in ballots will be livestreamed by CNET.

As of Tuesday, Oct. 28, Centre County has 102,026 registered voters. Of them, 42,081 are Republicans, 41,383 are Democrats and the remainder are independent or affiliated with smaller parties.

COUNTYWIDE

OFFICES

— District Attorney: Only incumbent Democrat Bernie Cantorna is on the ballot in the Centre County District Attorney race. If elected, he will serve a four-year term.

First sworn in Jan. 2, 2018, Cantorna is seeking a third term as the county’s top prosecutor.

— Jury Commissioner: Centre County has two elected jury commissioners, each serving a four-year term. The commissioners administer the criminal and civil jury selection process.

Both incumbents — Democrat Shelley Thompson and Republican Hope Miller — are seeking re-election for the 2026-2029 term of office.

— District Judge: Seeking another term in office, Magisterial District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker has filed with both major parties and is running for a term that will extend from 2026 through 2031.

Gillette-Walker serves as the district judge for Bellefonte, Howard, Milesburg and Unionville boroughs, as well as Benner, Boggs, Curtin, Howard, Liberty, Marion, Spring (North, West and East), Union and Walker townships.

Other candidates running for district judge around the county include Donald Hahn and Steven Lachman. All three are running unopposed.

— Bellefonte Area School Board: The Bellefonte Area School District Board of Directors will have four seats up for election, each carrying a term that runs from 2026 to 2029. All candidates on the ballot cross-filed with both parties.

Incumbents Nate Campbell, Kristin Lyons and board president Jon Guizar are each seeking reelection. Running a write-in campaign is sitting Republican school board member Holly Hopkins, who replaced board member Jack Bechdel II following his arrest earlier this year. Joe Yech, who narrowly lost the appointment to Hopkins in April, will also appear on the November ballot.

— Penns Valley Area School District: Four seats are up for election, each carrying a term that runs from 2026 to 2029.

Democrat Kendyl Wittenrich, Republican Daniel Decker and Douglas Roth, who filed with both parties, are seeking the two at-large seats on the board.

Vincent Nicosia, who also cross-filed, is the only candidate registered for the one open seat in Penns Valley Area School District Region 2.

Democrat Amber May and Republican Jessica Shawver are vying for the lone open seat in Region 3.

— Bald Eagle Area School District: Four seats are up for election on the Bald Eagle Area School District Board of Directors. Each seat has a four-year term, and all four candidates cross-filed with both parties.

In Region 1, Mary Ann Hamilton and Timothy Nilson are running for the two open seats.

Mark Kresovich in Region 2 and Tina Greene in Region 3 are running uncontested for the remaining seats.

MUNICIPAL OFFICES

Bellefonte Borough

— Mayor: Mayor Gene “Buddy” Johnson, who cross-filed with both parties, is seeking reelection for the 2026-2029 term. Sworn in December 2021, Johnson’s duties as mayor include overseeing the borough police department. He is running unopposed.

— Council Members: Bellefonte Borough Council is made up of nine elected officials–three from each ward–who serve as the municipality’s governing and policymaking body. This year, five council seats are up for election, each for a term running from 2026 through 2029.

Voters in Bellefonte’s First Ward will choose two council members this year. Incumbent Republican Rita Purnell is seeking another term and will face Democrats Claudia Wilson and Jon Eaton, along with Republican Kimberly Shenk.

In the Third Ward, another two council seats are up for election. Democratic incumbent Shawna McKean is running for reelection, while Zach Kelly, another Democrat, is seeking a first term. Kelly is seeking to replace outgoing fellow Democrat, Councilwoman Johanna Sedgewick. Both McKean and Kelly are running unopposed.

In the Second Ward, Republican Borough Council President Barbara Dann is also running unopposed.

— Tax Collector: Also up for reelection is Debra Burger, the incumbent borough tax collector, who has cross-filed with both major parties. Likewise, she faces no opposition on the ballot.

— Judge of Elections: In Bellefonte North Ward 1, Democrat Byron Zeigler is running for Judge of Elections. In Bellefonte West Ward 3, Democrat Michael Prendergast faces Republican Cidalia Cornelio for the position. The term of office is four years.

— Inspector of Elections: Democrat Anthony Edmondson, North Ward 1; Democrat Steven Richards, Northeast Ward 1; and Republican Debra Tingley, West Ward 3, are all running unopposed. The terms for these positions run from 2026 to 2029.

Centre Hall Borough

— Council Members: The Centre Hall Borough Council will have three four-year seats up for election. Vying for those seats are Democrats Kathryn Long and Rosalie Yearick Owens and Republicans Daniel Smith and Matthew James Roan. Only Yearick Owens is not an incumbent.

— Tax Collector: Running for reelection unopposed is the borough’s tax collector, Republican Michele Whitman. As with council, the term for tax collector is from 2026 to 2029.

— Judge of Elections: Carol Clark-Baney, a Democrat, is running unopposed. The term is from 2026 to 2029.

— Inspector of Elections: Democrat Barbara Irwin is running against Republican Kelly Henry. The term is from 2026 to 2029. In Pennsylvania precinct elections, the two candidates for Inspector of Elections who receive the most votes both win.

Howard Borough

— Mayor: In Howard, incumbent Republican Deborah Simoncek is seeking to retain the mayorship through 2029. She runs unopposed.

— Council Members: On borough council, four seats are up for grabs, with no incumbents running. Appearing on the ballot are Democrat Autumn Hanley and Republicans Emily Herr and Chris Aikens. Should each secure an open seat, the partisan makeup of the board will remain the same.

Milesburg Borough

— Mayor: Brooke Christian, who cross-filed, is running for the mayor’s office unopposed. The term of office is 2026-2029.

— Council Members: Three four-year seats and three two-year seats are on the ballot. Competing for the two-year seats are incumbent Republican Shirley Martin, Republican Lesa Weaver, Democrat Catlin Horn, independent Timothy Glenn and unaffiliated candidate J. Bryce Taylor. Horn and Weaver are also seeking four-year seats but can serve in only one position if elected to both. Incumbent Republicans Barry Campbell, Jr. and Lauren Davidson-Haupt are also running for four-year terms.

— Inspector of Elections: Democrat Sally Sayers is running for a term that will last from 2026 to 2029.

Millheim Borough

— Mayor: Democrat Nickelaus Engle, a former member of borough council, is running unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

— Borough Council: On Millheim Borough Council, two four-year seats are up for election. Democrats Cecilia Gallup and Marissa Evankovich are each running.

— Tax Collector: Democrat Kathy Highbaugh is running unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

— Judge of Elections: Republican J. Alan Ilgen is running unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

— Inspector of Elections: Donna Shawley, a Democrat, is running against Jennifer Cain, a Republican, for the four-year term. In Pennsylvania precinct elections, the two candidates for Inspector of Elections who receive the most votes both win.

Snow Shoe Borough

— Mayor: An incumbent Republican, Mayor William Dudish, is seeking reelection for the 2026-2029 term.

— Borough Council: Snow Shoe Borough Council will have three four-year seats open. Incumbent Republican councilman Beau Martin is the only candidate on the ballot for the 2026-2029 term of office.

— Tax Collector: Republican Debrah Dudish is running for the 2026-2029 term.

— Judge of Elections: Republican Denise Surovec runs unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

— Inspector of Elections: Republican Debbie Shaw is unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

Unionville Borough

— Mayor: Incumbent Democrat Donald William Carl Hassinger is running unopposed for the 2026-2029 mayorship.

— Borough Council: There are two four-year seats open on the Unionville Borough Council. Incumbent Democrat Allen R. Runkle is the only candidate on the ballot.

Benner Township

— Supervisor: Incumbent Larry J. Lingle, who cross-filed, is running unopposed for the 2026-2031 term.

— Auditor: Libertarian Ariana Tarr is running unopposed. If elected, she will serve a six-year term..

— Tax Collector: Republican Jessica Bradley also runs unopposed. If elected, she will serve 2026-2029.

— Judge of Elections: In Benner Township North, Republican Jenny Watson runs unopposed for the four-year term. In Benner Township South, Karen Querns, a Republican, is also unopposed.

— Inspector of Elections: In Benner Township North, Elisa Gurgevich, a Democrat, runs unopposed for the four-year term. In Benner Township South, Democrat Lawrence Wess is also unopposed.

Boggs Township

— Supervisor: Incumbent Republican supervisor Terry Gates, Jr. is running for the 2026-2031 term.

— Tax Collector: Republican Sharon A. Yangula is running unopposed for the four-year seat.

— Judge of Elections: Carol Deering, a Republican, is unopposed in the contest for the four-year term in Boggs Township West.

— Inspector of Election: Republican Karen Butler is unopposed in the run for the four-year term in Boggs Township West.

Curtin Township

— Supervisor: Incumbent Republican supervisor Joseph Moore, Jr. is running for the 2026-2031 term.

— Auditor: Republican Gail Stover is running for the 2026-2031 term.

— Tax Collector: Democrat Heather Burfield is running unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

— Judge of Elections: Democrat Maryolive Lomison runs unopposed for the four-year judgeship in Curtin Township North. In Curtin Township South, Republican A. Jane Lucas is also running unopposed.

— Inspector of Elections: in Curtin Township North, Democrat Heather Burfield is also in the race with Republican Phyllis Moore, for the four-year term. In Pennsylvania precinct elections, the two candidates for Inspector of Elections who receive the most votes both win.

Rela Fisher, a Republican, runs unopposed in Curtin Township South.

Gregg Township

— Supervisor: Democrat Scott Decker and Republican Charles Bierlein are both running for the one open six-year supervisor seat.

— Tax Collector: Republican Donna Miller is running unopposed for the 2026-2031 term.

— Judge of Elections: Only Republican Andrew Slavinsky is running for the 2026-2029 term in Gregg Township.

— Inspector of Elections: Democrat Janice Jenkins and Republican Frances Shook are both running for the four-year position. In Inspector of Elections races, the two candidates who receive the most votes both win.

Haines Township

— Supervisor: Democrat Bob Vernon is challenging incumbent Republican Randy Ream in his reelection race for the six-year township supervisor position.

— Tax Collector: Democrat Lyle Stover and Republican Paige Homan are running for the 2026-2029 term.

— Judge of Elections: Republican Patricia Valentine is running unopposed for the four-year seat.

Howard Township

— Supervisor: Incumbent Republican David Etters is running unopposed for a term from 2026-2031.

— Auditor: Republican Stacy Mann is running unopposed for a term from 2026 to 2031.

— Tax Collector: Republican Sheila Yoder is running unopposed for township tax collector, which carries a term from 2026-2029.

— Judge of Elections: Republican Lindsey Penland is running unopposed for the judgeship, which has a term from 2026 to 2029.

Huston Township

— Supervisor: Incumbent Republican Charles Donley is unopposed running for the 2026-2031 term.

— Auditor: Democrats Amy L. Gette (2024-2029) and Carolyn Gette (2026-2031) are on the ballot.

— Judge of Election: Allen Murchison, a Republican, is running for the 2026-2029 term unopposed.

— Inspector of Elections: Only Republican Logan Holt is running for the four-year seat.

Liberty Township

— Supervisor: Incumbent Republican Guy Poorman is running for the 2026-2031 term unopposed.

— Tax Collector: Erin Ammerman, who cross-filed, is running unopposed for the four-year role.

— Judge of Elections: Corintha McCall, a Republican, is running unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

— Inspector of Elections: Only Republican Kenneth Packer is in the race for the four-year term.

Marion Township

— Supervisor: In Marion Township, the six-year supervisor seat held by Democrat Archie Gettig, Jr., and the two-year seat held by Republican Herb Chapman are both up, with neither seeking reelection. On the ballot, Republican Lisa Barner Hovies is running for the opening two-year supervisor seat, while fellow Republican Donald L. Moore is seeking the six-year position. Barner Hovies faces a challenge from write-in candidate James Burris.

— Tax Collector: Republican R. Brian McCauley is running unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

Miles Township

— Tax Collector: Republican Carrie Rishel is running unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

— Judge of Elections: One candidate will be on the ballot for Judge of Elections, which has a four-year term. Emily Hall, a Republican, was the only candidate to file for the position.

— Inspector of Elections: In Miles Township East, Myra Sletson, a Democrat, is competing with Dana Harter, a Republican, for the 2026-2029 term. In Inspector of Elections races, the two candidates who receive the most votes both win. In Miles Township West, Democrat Darla Boob is in the race with Republican Susan Long for the same term.

Penn Township

— Supervisor: Incumbent Republican Robert Fox is running unopposed for the 2026-2031 term.

— Auditor: Republican Scott Brooker is the only candidate in the race for the 2026-2031 term.

— Tax Collector: Republican Debra Fox is also running unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

Potter Township

— Supervisor: Republicans Jacob Tanis, an incumbent, and Helen Amy Lake are running for the 2026-2031 term.

— Auditor: Republican D. William Pyle is running for the 2026-2031 term unopposed.

— Tax Collector: Republican Wendy Nolf is running for the 2026-2029 term.

— Judge of Elections: In Potter Township North, Bambi Jo Homan, a Republican, is running unopposed to be Judge of Elections. In Potter Township South, Republican Ellen Zerby is also running unopposed. If elected, they would serve through 2029.

— Inspector of Elections: Also in Potter Township North, Republican Karen Dixon is running to be Inspector of Elections. If elected, she would also serve through 2029.

Snow Shoe Township

— Supervisor: Democrat Jim Schall is running unopposed for the 2026-2031 term.

— Auditor: Republican Jeanne E. Bacon is running unopposed for the 2024-2029 term.

— Tax Collector: Tara L. Guenot, who cross-filed, is running unopposed for the 2026-2029 term.

— Judge of Elections: Democrat Christine Surovec is running unopposed for the 2026-2029 term in Snow Shoe Township East. In Snow Shoe Township West, Republican Beth Watson runs unopposed.

— Inspector of Elections: Republican Shelly Kachick is running against Democrat Chris Onder for the 2026-2029 term in Snow Shoe Township East. In Inspector of Elections races, the two candidates who receive the most votes both win.

In Snow Shoe Township West, Republican Sally Flick is unopposed.

Spring Township

— Supervisor: Democrat Korena Defurio and incumbent Republican Frank Royer are running against one another for the four-year supervisor seat.

— Tax Collector: Alice Hinton, who cross-filed, is running for the 2026-2029 term.

— Judge of Elections: Michael Edwards, a Democrat, is the only candidate listed as running in Spring Township West. Republican Kay Light also runs unopposed in Spring Township East. If elected, they would serve from 2026-2029.

— Inspector of Elections: Democrat Roberta Hardin is running alone in the race for Inspector of Elections in Spring Township West. In Spring Township East, Deborah Miller, a Republican, is also alone on the ballot. If elected, they would serve from 2026-2029.

Union Township

— Auditor: Democrat Sarah M. Letterman is running for the 2026-2031 term.

— Judge of Elections: Republican Lucy Kreps is unopposed in the election. If elected, she will serve from 2026-2029.

— Inspector of Elections: Democrat Joann Sengle is running unopposed for Inspector of Elections. If elected, she will serve from 2026-2029.

Walker Township

— Supervisor: Democrat Wyatt Harter and Republican James Heckman are running for the singular six-year supervisor seat.

— Tax Collector: Republican Kathy M. Fye is running for the 2026-2029 term.

— Judge of Elections: In Walker Township East, Democrat Judy Seymore is unopposed. In Walker Township West, Patricia Horne, a Republican, is also unopposed in her race. If elected, their terms will be from 2026-2029.

— Inspector of Elections: In the race for Inspector of Elections in Walker Township East, Linda Stover, a Democrat, and Diane Heckman, a Republican, are both running. In Walker Township West, Kevin Smith, a Republican, and Joseph Kay, a Democrat, are running. In Inspector of Elections races, the two candidates who receive the most votes both win. The term is 2026-2029.