Primary Election Preview In PA: Important Races, Where To Vote, More

PENNSYLVANIA — While an off-year election primary was never the low stakes game it is often played off to be, the 2023 election carries particular importance in a new political climate.

Pennsylvania will once again be in the nation's eyes as voters head to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots for what are largely school board and municipal government races, but also a new state Supreme Court seat and a pair of special state representative seats. The election will also serve as another test of both each party's voter outreach efforts, and as well as the functioning of an electoral system that has been the subject of controversy and judicial challenges since 2020.

Pennsylvania has long been a battleground and bellwether not just for the direction the country is leaning in major national races, but also rulings on election fraud related to mail-in ballots, poll watchers, and more. With the presidential race 18 months away, and Pennsylvania figuring once again on the front lines, the 2023 primary is all the more important.

Key races and what you'll see on the ballot

There are two special elections being held for for state representative seats that were suddenly vacated. In Delaware County's 163rd district, Democrat Heather Boyd will face Republican Katie Ford in what could be the determining race, following State Rep. Mike Zabel's resignation over sexual harassment allegations. The race is widely considered a toss-up.

Meanwhile in Northumberland County's 108th, the race is to fill a seat long held by Republican State Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, who recently was elected to the state senate. It is heavily favored for the GOP.

One seat on the Pennsylvania state Supreme Court is up for grabs, and both Democrats and Republicans have several candidates lined up. This is the only true statewide race on the ballot, and in November, the winner will be the best way to take the political pulse of the state ahead of 2024. Two Democrats are running, Deborah Kunselman and Daniel D. McCaffery, as well as two Republicans, Patricia McCullough and Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio. Democrats currently have a 4-2 majority on the seven-person board.

In some select cases, the primaries are more intense competitions than the general election because of one party's dominance in a region. In heavily blue Philadelphia, for instance, there are nine Democratic candidates running for mayor, any of whom is likely the defeat the Republican candidate in November.

In the state's third largest county, Montgomery, the board of commissioners is undergoing a period of transformation on both sides of the aisle. Incumbent Republican Joe Gale is facing an uprising from his own party, and incumbent Democrat Ken Lawrence is retiring from his post after seven years of service. Meanwhile, recently-installed Democrat Jamila Winder has only been in office for a year and has several Democratic challengers.

There are no statewide referendums or ballot questions in this year's primary.

If you're voting by mail

Voting by mail was available to all Pennsylvania voters prior to Election Day.

Ballots are due back to a designated ballot drop-off location by 8 p.m. Tuesday night. Most counties have drop boxes set up around the county, and also accept ballots at elections offices.

If you still haven't received your mail-in ballot and Election Day arrives, you can also vote via a provisional ballot at the polls. The provisional ballot will become your official vote once elections officials determine they have not received your mail-in ballot.

Voting in-person

Polls will be open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you're planning on voting in-person and are not sure where to go to vote, you can find your polling place here.

Voter rights

If you are heading in-person to a polling place, it's important to know your rights, and what is and is not legal in your encounters with poll workers. You are not required to show identification, according to Pennsylvania law, unless you have never voted at that precinct in the past.
Only voters who have never voted at that precinct before are required to show identification, according to Pennsylvania law. That identification does not have to be photo identification, but it must contain your name and address.

Just because your name is not in the poll book, does not mean you are not registered to vote. Voting officials should call the county board of elections to confirm your status.

For those who may have limited English language proficiency, the law stipulates that you may bring another individual with you into the voting booth to help out casting your vote.