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What You Need to Know About the 2022 Pennsylvania Primary Election
Pennsylvania’s primary election is Tuesday, May 17. The state’s U.S. Senate race will have a direct impact on the national stage, and the governor’s race will determine the balance of power in the state for the next four years.
With such high stakes, it is critical to be informed before you vote!
Make sure you can vote
- First, make sure that you’re registered to vote. You can check your registration status here.
- If you’re not registered, then you’ve missed the deadline for the primary but can still register to participate in the general election in November.
- To participate in the Democratic or Republican primary, you have to be registered to that party. You can check which party you’re registered to here.
- Unaffiliated voters won’t be able to vote for Democratic or Republican candidates in the primary, but they can still vote on ballot questions (there are four in Philadelphia, for example) or in special elections (like a state Senate race in Philadelphia) held on that date. Look for a sample ballot on your county’s election website or call the office to confirm whether any of these questions will appear on the ballot.
- Visit vote.pa.gov for more information.
What’s on the Ballot?
Democratic and Republican voters will select which candidates will represent their parties in the general election this fall in local and statewide races, potentially shifting the balance of power within the General Assembly, governor’s office, and federal government. These offices include:
- Governor
- Lieutenant governor
- U.S. senator
- Congressional representative
- State House representative
- State senator (only lawmakers in even-number districts are up for reelection)
Visit the Pittsburgh Post Gazette for a list of primary candidates and links to their campaign websites for more information.
Voting at a Polling Place
Polls are open on election day from 7 A.M. – 8 P.M. You can find your polling place using the Department of State’s online lookup tool.
For more information about voting in person and COVID-19 safety, visit vote.pa.gov.