Why Johnstown? Political science professor explains importance of upcoming Trump rally

While some may be asking why Johnstown? What is the point of a Trump rally here in Cambria County?

We asked Dan Mallinson, an associate professor of political science at Penn State Harrisburg, about the impact of these rallies on voters.

During the election season, candidates stop in key locations and host "rallies," speaking to supporters on the main stage.

Rallies can have various goals, depending on where the rally is held or how much support the candidate already has there.

They can energize existing supporters in the area, or sway curious or undecided voters.

"It's important to show up and show your presence in the state, you're courting the voters of the state for any of these swing states. So that's why you see both candidates doing swing state tours. If a candidate didn't go to a state, then voters are going to feel like they don't value them, even though they'd probably have lots of people that would vote for them in that state. You wouldn't have the same kind of energy, necessarily, if you feel forgotten," Mallinson explained.

The value of energizing voters in an area, especially a swing state like Pennsylvania, is important to a candidate's success.

Mallinson says voter turnout is just as important to a candidate as who they are voting for, so energizing passionate supporters to vote is essential for any election.