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Pennsylvania’s primary election is coming up in just over a month, which means it’s time to make sure you’re registered to vote, request an absentee ballot if you want, and – if you haven’t already – start thinking about who you’ll vote for.
The primary elections will be held on May 19, and the registration deadline is May 4. Registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party’s candidates, but unaffiliated and independent voters can only vote on the questions on the ballot.
In Philadelphia, the most closely watched race is the Democratic primary to replace retiring Congressman Dwight Evans in the presidential election. Third Congressional District. With no Republicans on the ballot, the primary will likely decide who wins the November general election.
Also on the ballot are the party’s mostly uncontested primaries for governor, other congressional seats and all state Assembly seats, as well as races for members of the Democratic and Republican state committees and local party district committees. Philadelphia voters will see one question on the ballot.
Here full list of candidates on the website of the City Hall.
We’re still working on our Postponing Candidates’ Guide, so stay tuned for it to be published about a week before the election.
The end of registration is approaching
The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming primary election is Monday, May 4.
Check your registration status by calling the City Commissioners at 215-686-1590 or by visiting the website Bye. Department of State website.
Registration can be done online at state election services website. You can also register in person at the Election Commission office in the City Hall, room 140; at the Voter Registration Office at 520 N. Columbus Blvd, Spring Garden Street; or in one of the cities 10 satellite election offices.
These offices are open from 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 16:00 on weekends.
You can also pick up a voter registration application at post offices, public libraries, state liquor stores and state offices. You can call the commissioners and ask them to mail or print the application form at home. It is available in several languages. Just be sure to mail it well in advance to meet the May 4 submission deadline.
Another option is to register at the PennDOT Photo License Center after receiving or updating your driver’s license.
More information on registration, including information for people with criminal records, can be found on the website City Commissioners Registration Page.
Postal (or postal) voting
Every registered voter can vote by post. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, May 12, at 5 p.m.
Applications may be submitted at the City Hall Elections Office, Columbus Boulevard, or any of the satellite election offices listed above.
The ballots have not been printed yet. Once available, you’ll be able to go to an election office in person, apply for an absentee ballot, fill it out, and return it on-site – all in one visit. (And register first if necessary.)
Another option is to complete the online application for the ballot to be sent to your home.
You cannot leave your postal ballot at the polling station. It must be returned by mail or dropped off at the elections office or designated drop box.
An absentee ballot is different from a regular absentee ballot. It is intended mainly for people who will be out of town on the day of the primary election or who will not be able to go to the polling station due to illness or physical disability. Members of the armed forces and those with religious responsibilities are also eligible. To receive them, you must provide a valid reason.
You can find instructions for submitting applications for a mail-in ballot on the city’s website.
For more information on applying for, completing and submitting an absentee or postal ballot, as well as what to do in various special situations – such as if you change your mind at the last minute and decide to vote in person – please read our extensive explanation from a few years ago or City Commissioners’ Guide.
Meet this deadline!
The Electoral Commission must receive the completed ballot by 8 p.m. on primary election day, May 19, or the vote will not count. So be sure to mail it at least a few days in advance or drop it in the official drop box. Here searchable drop box map.
Please remember that people voting by post are obliged to write down the date they completed the ballot in the designated space on the back of the ballot envelope. If they fail to do so, their vote may be thrown out without being counted.
This requirement has been the subject of many years of dispute. A federal court ruled last August that the requirement is unconstitutionaland the state Supreme Court heard arguments on this matter in September. The Republican National Committee and a group of states do asked the U.S. Supreme Court reinstating this requirement.
In the meantime, voters are still asked to write the date on the envelope by hand.
As we get closer to the election, we’ll post a list of people whose mail-in ballots contain errors for reasons such as missing a handwritten date or a secure envelope, and we’ll explain how to fix these issues and make their votes count.
In the meantime, if you’re planning to ditch the senior school and vote in person on primary election day, here’s how to do it lots of useful information from City Commissioners, including, among others, searchable map of polling stations. When sample ballots with candidate names are available, they will also be available on this site.
