Pennsylvania’s primary elections are being held tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19.

Pennsylvania polling places will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. If you’re in line to vote by 8 p.m., you will be allowed to vote. You can find your polling place here.

If you’re voting with a mail ballot, your county election office must receive your ballot by 8 p.m. Tuesday. A postmark by 8 p.m. May 19 is not sufficient.

Because Pennsylvania has a closed primary, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party’s nominees in the primary election. However, all voters can vote on any of the following if they also appear on their county’s ballot:

✅ a constitutional amendment question

✅ a ballot question, or

✅ a special election in their district.

We’ve got a preview of some of the more notable primary races below.

Janelle Stelson, right, and Justin Douglas are running in the May 19 Democratic primary in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District for the right to try to unseat seven-term Republican US Rep. Scott Perry in November’s midterm election. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

As is usually the case in a midterm election year, all eyes will be focused on Pennsylvania in 2026 with important races up and down the ballot.

Democrats, nationally, are looking at four key congressional races in Pennsylvania in an effort to retake the US House during the midterm elections. 

Democrats believe they have a chance to defeat US House Reps. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) and Rob Bresnahan (R-Luzerne), who were just elected in 2024, as well as US House Reps. Scott Perry (R-York) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks). 

At the state level, after defeating State Sen. Doug Mastriano by 15 points in 2022, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is looking to run it back against Republican Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity in 2026. 

Check out these stories for more ahead of Tuesday’s primary:

• Here’s a look at races to watch in Pennsylvania’s 2026 primary

• Why Bucks County will matter so much in the midterms

• Four Democrats vying to take on Ryan Mackenzie in 7th District

• Janelle Stelson faces progressive challenger in 10th District primary

• Candidates for Congress in 8th District unopposed in primaries

• Trump endorses Garrity in bid to replace Josh Shapiro as Pa. governor

• Thousands of Penn State professors and faculty members said “Union Yes” after voting to form a union at University Park and the Commonwealth Campuses. Find out more here.

• Rising gas prices are hitting low-income Pennsylvanians especially hard, as many residents in rural and working-class communities spend a larger share of their income on transportation and have fewer alternatives to driving. The Conversation has the full story.

• US Rep. Rob Bresnahan’s charitable donations are coming under scrutiny after he donated to organizations impacted by President Donald Trump’s budget cuts that he voted for. Read more here.

Locals enjoying a beach day at Presque Isle State Park. (RacheeLynn/Shutterstock)

Memorial Day weekend is basically Pennsylvania’s excuse to get back outside again. Whether you’re craving a good ol’ fashioned camping trip, a lakeside afternoon, or a stroll through a charming small town, there are plenty of ways to kick off the unofficial start of summer right here in the commonwealth.

Contributor Kalena Thomhave recently rounded up some fun and affordable Memorial Day weekend ideas across Pennsylvania that make this state shine this time of year.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Kalena Thomhave, Sean Kitchen, The Conversation, and USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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