Schuylkill County residents will be greeted by the sun for the first time in weeks as they head to polling places today.
Despite the sun, temperatures are expected to be chilly with a forecasted high of 43 degrees in the afternoon and a low of 28 degrees at night, according to the National Weather Service.
Polling places in each of the county's 125 precincts are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.
All voters will be asked, but not required, to show a photo ID, under the state's new voter ID law. Last month, the Commonwealth Court ruled the transition period should continue for the law, so voters will be asked to show photo ID as they were in the April primary election.
Although full implementation of the voter ID law is on hold for this election, the ID requirement for first-time voters remains in effect.
Three of four Schuylkill County state representatives are being challenged in today's election.
Democrat Tim Seip, Washington Township, is challenging Republican state Sen. David Argall, Rush Township, in the 29th District, which includes all of Schuylkill County and parts of Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton counties.
Seip was elected state representative for the 125th District in Schuylkill County in 2006, serving two terms before being defeated by Republican Mike Tobash in 2010.
Argall served as a state representative for the 124th District from 1984 until 2009. He was voted into the Senate in 2009 through a special election after the death of former Sen. James J. Rhoades and is running for re-election for the first time. In 2010, Argall lost the 17th Congressional District election after challenging incumbent US. Rep. Tim Holden.
Republican state Rep. Jerry Knowles, Rush Township, is being challenged by independent Dante Picciano, West Penn Township, for the 124th District, which includes parts of Schuylkill and Berks counties.
Knowles was elected through a special election in 2009 after the position was left vacant by Argall.
Picciano, a retired patent attorney, challenged incumbent Knowles and Democrat Jeff Faust for the position in 2010.
Tobash, Pottsville, a Republican, is being challenged by Vicki Harman, a Democrat, in the 125th District, which consists of parts of Schuylkill and Berks counties. Tobash defeated Seip for the position in 2010. Harman serves on the Hegins Township board of supervisors.
Democrat state Rep. Neal Goodman, Mahanoy City, is unopposed for re-election in the 123rd District.
Voters will also decide who will represent them in Congress. After defeating Holden in the Democratic primary in April, Matt Cartwright is facing Republican Laureen Cummings for the 17th Congressional District.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., a Democrat and one-term incumbent, is battling to overcome a late-campaign surge by his Republican opponent, Tom Smith.
In addition to the presidential race, other state offices up for election today include attorney general, auditor general and treasurer.
Transportation is available to all voters in the county. The Schuylkill County Democratic Party can be reached at 570-622-3155 and the Schuylkill County Republican Party can be reached at 570-622-1540.
Additional questions can be directed to the Schuylkill County Election Bureau at 570-628-1467.
For more information, current voter registration status or to find a polling place, visit www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us.