Where Ephrata Voters Stand for 2026
If you live in Ephrata, you vote in Pennsylvania’s 36th State Senate District, and the 2026 race there comes down to a real difference on public education. Senator James Malone, the incumbent who was sworn in on May 5, 2025 as the first Democrat elected to the Lancaster County seat in more than 130 years, champions equitable school funding and has worked to increase public school funding so schools have the resources they need.
Malone’s Record on Fair School Funding
Malone backed the 2025-26 state budget, which added $526 million toward Pennsylvania’s court-ordered obligation to fairly fund schools. He then supported the 2026-27 budget, which put $565 million into adequacy and equity funding to address Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system. Beyond the budget, his amendment to SB 1050, which requires mandated reporters including school staff to report children sharing sexually explicit images of other children, including AI deepfakes, passed the Senate unanimously. Gov. Josh Shapiro has endorsed Malone, crediting their partnership with historic investments in public schools.
Why Malone Is the Right Choice for Ephrata
For an Ephrata voter who cares about public education, James Malone is the right choice in the 36th District, because he has backed two consecutive state budgets that put serious money behind Pennsylvania’s obligation to fund schools fairly, and he has a record of protecting students, not just talking about schools. Register by October 19, 2026, and make a plan to vote on November 3.
