Everything Yinz Need To Know To Vote
Here’s everything Pittsburghers need to know to vote in the 2026 Pennsylvania Primary.
Pennsylvania’s 2026 Primary Election is on Tuesday, May 19. Here’s everything Pittsburghers need to know to vote on time, find their polling place, return a mail-in ballot, and research the races and ballot questions.
🗓️ The 2026 Pennsylvania Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
⏰ The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in the line at 8 p.m., you will be allowed to stay and vote. Do not get out of line.
📍 Find your polling place: Use the PA Department of State “Find Your Polling Place” Tool.
NOTE: It’s a good idea to double-check the location of your polling place. A few polling places may have moved.
📫 Mail-in ballots must be returned by 8 pm on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. A postmark does not count. Your ballot MUST be at the Allegheny County Department of Elections by 8 pm on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
📞 Allegheny County Department of Elections Phone Number: 412-350-4500.
View A Sample Ballot
Before you head to the polls, it is a good idea to take a look at your ballot and do some research on the candidates.
Use the Polling Place Locator to enter your address and find your
Municipality
Ward
District
Use the Allegheny County Department of Elections website to view your sample ballot.
Your ballot will look different depending on your party registration. Pennsylvania has a closed primary system.
What races are on the ballot in Pittsburgh for the 2026 Primary Election?
Pennsylvania Governor
Democrat - Josh Shapiro - Incumbent
Republican - Stacy Garrity
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor
Democrat - Austin Davis - Incumbent
Republican
Jason Richey
John Ventre
U.S. Congress - 12th District
Democratic primary:
Summer Lee - Incumbent
Will Parker
U.S. Congress - 17th District
Republican primary:
Tony Guy
Jesse James Vodvarka
Democratic primary:
Chris Deluzio - Incumbent
State Senate - 32nd District
Republican primary: Patrick Stefano (Incumbent) v. Harry Young Cochran
Democratic primary: no candidates
State Senate - 42nd District
Democratic primary: Wayne Fontana (Incumbent) v. Paul Steenkiste
Republican primary: no candidates
State Senate - 46th District
Republican primary: Camera Bartolotta (Incumbent) v. Al Buchtan
Democratic primary: Democrat Evan Snyder
State House 12th District - open seat
Republican primary: Ethan Nicholas v. Scott Timko
Democratic primary: Brandon Dukes
State House 24th District
Democratic primary: Will Anderson v. La’Tasha D. Mayes (Incumbent)
State House 28th District
Democratic primary: Robert Bertha v. Jeremy Ferderber
Republican primary: Jeremy Shaffer (Incumbent)
State House 39th District
Democratic primary: Dylan Altemara v. Kellianne Frketic
Republican primary: Andrew Kuzma (Incumbent)
State House 45th District - open seat
Democratic primary: Brittany Bloam v. Pat Catena
State House 50th District
Republican primary: Bud Cook (Incumbent) v. Benjamin Humble
State House 59th District
Democratic primary: Lisa Gephart v. Jordan Omlor
Republican primary: Leslie Rossi (Incumbent)
City of Pittsburgh Ballot Question
“Shall the City of Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter, Article Three, Legislative Branch, be amended by changing public hearing notice requirements to adjust for public hearing notice requirements in light of changes in the public consumption of newspapers of general circulation and increased use of digital media?”
Open vs. Closed Primaries
🛑 This is because Pennsylvania has a closed primary system, which means you can only vote in the primary of the party you’re registered with.
📌 For example, if you’re registered as an Independent or Republican, you won’t be able to vote in the Democratic primary—even though both mayoral candidates are Democrats.
✅ In contrast, an open primary allows voters of any party to choose which party’s primary to vote in. But Pennsylvania does not use that system.