Allegheny County 2023 Primary Voter Guide

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA — There are no candidates for president, governor or senator for Pennsylvanians to vote for this year, but there will be considerable activity at the local level for the upcoming May 16 primary.

Here is a look at some of the more significant races, as well as key dates and ballot information:

Who's running for office?

This year’s statewide races are all for Pennsylvania’s three appellate courts. There are two open seats on the Superior Court, one on Commonwealth Court, and one on the Supreme Court.

The Democratic and Republican primaries for Supreme and Commonwealth Courts both are competitive, meaning at least two candidates are competing for a spot on the ballot in November. For Superior Court, the Democratic primary is contested, but the Republican primary is not.

In addition, voters will cast ballots in a wide range of local primary races including city, borough and township councils, mayoral, and school board seats.

Contested primaries for Allegheny County offices care occurring in races for chief executive, district attorney, controller and two county council seats.

For an at-large seat, Democratic incumbent Bethany Hallam is being challenged by Joanna Doven, onetime spokesperson for former Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. In District 10, Democratic incumbent DeWitt Walton faces challengers Carlos Thomas and Eric Smith.

Contested Pittsburgh city council races are occurring in District 1, where Democratic incumbent Bobby Wilson faces Steven Oberest; District 5, where councilwoman Barb Warwick is being challenged Laura Brillman; and District 9, where Democrats Khari Mosley and Khadijah Harris are vying to succeed the Rev. Ricky Burgess, who decided not to run for reelection.

For races in suburban communities, you can find out who's on your local ballot here.

What Voters Need To Know

Find Voter Registration Status

You can search for your voter registration status with your name or your PennDOT driver's license or identification card. Your party affiliation and polling place address will be displayed once you have provided an exact match with the information on your voter registration record.

Register to Vote, Update Your Voter Registration

To qualify to vote, one must be a United States citizen at least one month prior to the election, a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district at least 30 days before the election, and 18 years of age on or before the day of the election.

The easiest and fastest way to apply or make a change is by using the state’s online voter registration process. Those applicants who have a driver’s license or PennDOT identification card can link their signature on file with PennDOT to their voter record. The record will then be electronically transferred to the Allegheny County Elections Division for processing and approval.

Applicants who do not have a Pennsylvania driver’s license or identification card may upload a digital image of their signature or print, sign, and mail the completed online application to the Elections Division.

Individuals unable to print the application can request that the Pennsylvania Department of State mail them a signature card to complete and return to the Elections Division. All printed online applications and signature cards must be received in the Elections Division no later than 5 p.m. on May 1.

Online Mail-In, Absentee Ballot Applications

Your completed application must be received in the county office by 5 p.m. 0n May 9. The deadline to return voted absentee or mail-in ballots is 8:00 PM on May 16.

Polling Place Locator

Begin by typing the county of residence and city in the drop-down menu that appears, then enter the street name, the house number, and zip code. If you're voting in person, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Military or Overseas Civilian Voters

If you are a member of the military or an overseas civilian voter, you have options for how you register and vote in Pennsylvania.