Primary Election FAQ: How do I vote for the Mayor of Pittsburgh?
Be sure to check your registration before May 5, 2025!
❓ How do I vote for the Mayor of Pittsburgh?
🗳️ On May 20, 2025, Pittsburgh voters will choose the Democratic nominee for mayor.
The two leading candidates are:
🔲 Edward C. Gainey
🔲 Corey O’Connor
To vote for one of these candidates, you must be a registered Democrat.
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.
🗓️ You can change your party registration, but it must be done before the voter registration deadline - May 5, 2025.
From the VotesPA.org website:
In Pennsylvania, you can only vote for the candidates in the same political party you have named in your voter registration. For example, if you registered to vote as a member of the Republican Party then you can vote in the Republican primary, but not the Democratic primary.
All voters can vote on constitutional amendments, ballot questions, and any special election contests held at the same time as a primary election.
How to register to vote or update your voter registration in Pennsylvania
Register to vote or updated your voter registration status at vote.pa.gov.
Here is the specific information about updating your voter registration in the state of Pennsylvania:
How to change your political party
On the voter registration form, select the box that says 'Change of Party.'
You can change your political party at any time.
Changes made more than 15 days before an election will take effect for that election.
Changes made 15 days or less before an election will take effect for the next election.
