Lower Merion Voter Guide: Who's Running, Where To Vote

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — The primary election is Tuesday, May 17, and Lower Merion area residents will soon be able to cast their votes on town, county, and other races. Winners of the Tuesday primary will advance to the general election this November.

Who is on the ballot?

The 2022 election includes a spread of races for state house, state senate, and higher state office.

There are also races for U.S Congress at play.

Many race in the primary are uncontested, either because only one candidate from that party is still in the running, or because an incumbent is running unchallenged.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon is running unopposed to hold her 5th Congressional District seat, and Republican challenger David Galluch is also unopposed.

In the 4th Congressional District, U.S. Rep Madeleine Dean is unopposed on the Democratic ticket, while Christian Nascimento and Daniel Burton Jr. are vying for the general primary spot for the Republicans.

State Rep. Tim Briggs (D) is also running unopposed in the 149th District, and there is no Republican running in the primary.

Additionally, Democratic State Rep. Mary Jo Daley is unopposed in the 149th District.

At the state level, there are a pair of huge races that have gained national attention, with open seats for U.S. Senator and governor.

Republican governor

• Doug Mastriano
• Lou Barletta
• Bill McSwain
• Dave White
• Joe Gale
• Charlie Gerow
• Melissa Hart
• Nche Zama

Democratic governor

• Josh Shapiro

Republican U.S. Senate

• Kathy Barnette
• Mehmet Oz
• Jeff Bartos
• George Bochetto
• Sean Gale
• David McCormick
• Carla Sands

Democratic U.S. Senate

• John Fetterman
• Malcolm Kenyatta
• Conor Lamb
• Alexandria Khalil

Numerous other state offices, including lieutenant governor, are also up for grabs.

When To Vote

Polls will be open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where To Vote

If you're planning on voting in-person and are not sure where to go to vote, you can find your polling place here.

Montgomery County has several drop boxes for voters to leave their ballots at instead of voting at the polls.

Lower Merion's drop box is located at the Ludington Library, 5 S. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Bryn Mawr.

Other drop box locations in the county are:

• Cheltenham — Township Tax Office, 8230 Old York Rd, Elkins Park, PA 19027
• Lansdale — District Court 38-1-28, 430 Pennbrook Pkwy, Lansdale, PA 19446
• Norristown — Montgomery County Airy Street Parking Lot, Corner of Airy and DeKalb Streets, Norristown, PA 19401
• Pottstown — Montgomery County Health Clinic, 364 King Street, Pottstown, Pa 19464 (Btwn N Evans St and N Franklin St)
• Royersford — Victory Park Parking Lot, 2nd & Arch St, Royersford, PA 19468
• Skippack — Montgomery County 4H Center, 1015 Bridge Rd, Collegeville, PA 19474
• Upper Dublin — Upper Dublin Library, 520 Virginia Dr, Fort Washington, PA 19034
• Upper Frederick — Green Lane Park Office, 2144 Snyder Road, Green Lane, PA 18054
• Upper Merion — Upper Merion Township Building, 175 W. Valley Forge Rd, King of Prussia, PA 19406
• Upper Moreland — Willow Grove Annex, 102 N York Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090

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, according to a release from Gov. Wolf's office. 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.

Finally, aside from wearing a mask and staying six feet away from other voters, you can also minimize risk by voting early to avoid long lines to vote