The 2019 Pennsylvania Primary Election

Tuesday, May 21 is the 2019 Pennsylvania Primary Election.  There are statewide judicial elections, as well as legislative, county, municipal, district judge, constable and school director elections.

A number of special elections for federal and state legislators are simultaneously being conducted to elect people to complete terms for seats that were vacated.  There is one for United States Representative in the 11^th District, three each for State Representative and State Senate around the Commonwealth.

There are nominations for the two major political parties for two Superior Court seats on the ballot

County Commission and row office nominations will also be made in every County and for Common Please Judge in some of them.  Mayors, City and Borough Councils, Township Commissioners or Supervisors and other municipal office nominations will be decided in every municipality, as will nominations for some Magisterial District Judges and Constables.  School Directors will be nominated in every School District. 

Local offices affect people most directly.  Because fewer people vote in primaries for county and local offices, a vote counts for more proportionately than for any other election.  Only registered voters of the two major political parties may vote in their party’s respective primary election.  Many offices are not contested in the General Election, so the primary election is critical.  

There are conservative candidates, especially in the Republican Party, including some that are relatively less Trumpist (populist, protectionist, isolationist and nativist) or Trumpy (motivated by pecuniary interest, crude, insulting, dishonest and immoral) than others.  

In many Counties, new election machines will be used for the first time.  These will have paper backup to defend better against hacking.

Make plans to learn about the candidates for the major party nominations and to vote.  Polls in Pennsylvania are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.  Click on this link to the Department of State https://www.votespa.com/Pages/default.aspx to check your registration status, find your district and your polling place and to learn more about how elections are conducted and voting rights.