Polls open for the midterm elections in just a matter of hours. Voters in Cambria County said there’s a lot at stake this year and they’re determined to have their voices heard.

Monday, GOP gubernatorial nominee Scott Wagner and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Lou Barletta made stops in Richland Township and Johnstown to meet with voters.

The Republicans are challenging Democratic incumbents Gov. Tom Wolf and U.S. Senator Bob Casey. It’s a close fight for the Republican challengers because Cambria County has more registered Democrats than Republicans. However, an overwhelming majority of the county’s voters elected President Donald Trump in 2016.

Voter Terry Roy said she’s been frustrated with politics in the past, but this year she is going to vote.

“I am very pro-life and I believe in voting for life issues, especially,” said Roy, an Upper Yoder Township resident.

Northern Cambria resident Nichole Marshall is a first-time voter this year.

“This is actually my first time ever voting. First time to be registered and I’m voting just to make some changes. And I think there are more people out here like me who never registered who want to make some changes too,” Marshall said.

Jobs, healthcare, immigration and abortion rights were also issues that voters said they are focusing on during this election.

“The job situation is going fine,” said John Hall, a Johnstown resident and independent voter. “I know the immigrants are coming in here. I think they have the right to be here as in everyone else if they have the right passport and the right papers.”

Marshall said she supports a more left-wing approach when it comes to immigration.

“I don’t think we should be punishing asylum-seekers trying to get out of war-torn countries. They just are seeking protection,” said Marshall.

Voter John Fontana said he researches each candidate and votes on a personal, not a party basis. 

“I’ve been registered Republican all my life, but I don’t vote straight party ticket. I look at whatever the issues are. I look at each candidate. I read up on each candidate and then I pick and choose based on what’s important to me.”

Both sides of the aisle looking for something different and willing to get out and vote to make it happen.

“We say ‘The Right,’ but it is right. It’s, it’s the right thing,” Roy said. “We definitely need a change and I think this is a change for the better.”

“I don’t like Trump and I want to get him out,” Marshall said. “I need to make changes in this country and the only way to do it is by voting.”