Pennsylvanians who have not registered to vote have less than two weeks to do so if they want to cast a ballot in the May 20 primary.
In Philadelphia, voters will be deciding on the city’s next district attorney. With no Republican running in November, the fate of the office will likely be decided next month in the Democratic primary between incumbent Larry Krasner and former Municipal Court Judge Pat Dugan.
A number of statewide and local judicial seats will be on the ballot, and city residents will also be able to weigh in on multiple ballot questions. Candidates are running unopposed in the GOP and Democratic primaries for City Controller.
The registration deadline for the primary is Monday, May 5. Residents can register or check their status online at pavoterservices.pa.gov.
“It only takes a few minutes, and will allow you to participate in our democracy and let your voice be heard,” Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt said Monday in a statement.
Philadelphians can register in person at the City Commissioners’ offices at 520 N. Columbus Blvd. and Room 142 at City Hall. The commissioners also operate satellite locations in each City Council district where residents can register.
In addition, applications are available at post offices, library branches and state liquor stores, officials said. The paper forms can be mailed in. Pennsylvania residents can also register to vote while acquiring or renewing their driver’s licenses or state identification cards.
Anyone who is at least 18 years old on or before May 20; has been a citizen for at least a month before the election; and has been a resident of the election district where they want to register for at least 30 days is eligible to vote.
The last day to request a mail-in ballot for next month’s election is May 13. So far, nearly 700,000 Pennsylvania voters have been approved to vote by mail in the primary, Schmidt said last week.
Polls will be open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Pennsylvania holds closed primaries, meaning only registered Republicans and Democrats are permitted to vote for candidates. Independents and members of third parties can vote on the ballot questions.
For more information, go to vote.phila.gov or pavoterservices.pa.gov.
