Pennsylvania Primary Elections: Key Facts and Information for Voters

Pennsylvania Set to Play Crucial Role in Midterm Elections

Voters in Pennsylvania are gearing up for the state’s primary election, scheduled for May 19, which will determine the balance of power in the US Congress in November’s midterm elections. The primary election is a key test for President Donald Trump’s second term and could impact control of the US Congress.

The last day to register to vote was May 4, and the last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot was May 12. Pennsylvania has a closed primary system, allowing voters to cast ballots only in the primaries of their registered party. Polls will open at 7am local time and close at 8pm.

Several races are being closely watched for their significance to national politics. A gubernatorial race is expected to showcase the political ambitions of incumbent Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro. The state Democratic Party aims to secure majorities in both houses of the state legislature, with all 203 seats in the House and half of the 50 Senate seats up for grabs.

The state’s 16th and 36th districts will have competitive general elections in November for control of the state senate. Pennsylvania is also crucial at the national level, with voters set to decide on candidates for all 17 US House seats. The state’s lieutenant governor candidate will also be chosen.

In the gubernatorial primary, Democratic Governor Shapiro is running uncontested, while State Treasurer Stacy Garrity is unchallenged as the Republican candidate. Supporters of former Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano have launched a write-in campaign against Garrity, who was endorsed by President Trump in January. The Trump administration has also announced its nomination of Mastriano to serve as ambassador to Slovakia.

Source: Al Jazeera