Ever since the 2020 election, there has been an added scrutiny to how elections are handled and carried out. Pennsylvania state officials understand the concerns, which led to a high-ranking state official making the rounds.

Last week, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt completed visits to all 67 county elections offices in Pennsylvania, including Warren County, concluding his final county visit in Philadelphia – where he oversaw elections for 10 years as a city commissioner and member of the bipartisan board of elections.

Schmidt joined Philadelphia City Commissioners Chairman Omar Sabir, Vice Chair Lisa Deeley, and Commissioner Seth Bluestein for a tour of the Philadelphia Election Warehouse to highlight preparations for the mail ballot-counting process.

“The Shapiro Administration is committed to supporting our county partners,” Schmidt said. “These visits were a sign of that commitment and an opportunity to learn how the Department of State can best assist them in their important work. From Wayne to Allegheny, every county faces unique challenges. One of the reasons I have such confidence in the security and accuracy of Pennsylvania’s elections is I have seen firsthand the integrity and professionalism of these local officials.”

Pennsylvania’s importance in the Nov. 5 presidential election cannot be minimized. It’s a battleground state that will benefit either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.

We’ve seen Trump’s efforts, specifically in the last two weeks. He’s been at McDonald’s and was prominent at the Sunday night Steelers game against the New York Jets.

This state is in the spotlight — for all the right reasons. And it is one more indication of how vital your vote is in this election.