As any alum of Brian Kors’ 11th grade US History and Politics course has heard many times, local and state primary elections are an oft-neglected — but supremely important — piece of the American political system. “In some ways, voting in the primaries is more important than voting in the general election,” Brian notes, “because you’re helping set the stage for the kinds of conversations your city and state will be having in the future.” With this in mind, it is our hope at The Falcon that we can provide you with the tools you need to cast your ballot this spring.

This year’s primary elections in Pennsylvania will take place on Tuesday, May 18th. New voters, or those whose addresses have changed since they last voted, can register online, by mail, or in person. (See this link for more voter registration information.) The registration deadline for the upcoming elections is May 3rd. Voters must be at least 18 years old by May 18th. 

Pennsylvania operates with a closed primary system, meaning that constituents may only vote in primaries for the party with which they registered when they filled out the voter registration application.

On their ballots this spring, Philadelphians will cast votes for both state and municipal positions. Pennsylvania has a number of state judicial candidates running for office, as well as four ballot questions. At the city level, Philadelphia residents will have the opportunity to vote for a district attorney, a city controller, and 11 judges.

Note: Click on each candidate’s name to view their campaign website, or their profile on Ballotpedia if a website is unavailable.

Statewide Elections

Pennsylvania Supreme Court

There are four candidates running for one seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The seat is currently held by Justice Thomas Saylor (R), who was elected in 1997 and is now retiring after reaching the maximum age limit of 75. 

Pennsylvania Superior Court

There are also three open seats in Pennsylvania’s appellate courts. All judges elected for these positions will serve 10-year terms. In the Pennsylvania Superior Court, a seat will vacate when Judge Susan Gantman (R) retires, leaving four candidates to compete for her position. Superior Court judges are responsible for hearing appeals in criminal, family, and civil cases throughout the state.

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court

In addition to these Superior Court seats, judges will be running for two seats in Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court. This court hears civil cases involving the state and appeals made against state agencies. President Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt (R) is retiring, leaving a vacant seat; additionally, Judge Andrew Crompton (R) was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf in 2020 and must run to retain his position. Since there are two open seats in the Commonwealth Court, the top two candidates from each party will move on to the General Election in November.

[Further reading: A Voter Guide to Pennsylvania’s 2021 Judicial Elections — WHYY; JEC Ratings 2021 — Pennsylvania Bar Association]

Pennsylvania Ballot Questions

In addition to Pennsylvania’s judicial elections, there are four statewide ballot measures that voters will have the chance to weigh in on in May. Two of the questions involve constitutional amendments regarding the governor’s emergency powers, a subject of debate after Republican lawmakers and Democratic Governor Tom Wolf clashed over pandemic regulations. 

The other two questions involve prohibiting racial discrimination and expanding state loan programs for fire companies, respectively. Plain English statements for the four ballot questions can be found on the Committee of Seventy’s website, here.

[Further reading: What You Should Know About Pennsylvania’s May Ballot Questions — The Falcon]

Citywide Elections

District Attorney

In addition to the statewide races, Philadelphia residents will also be able to vote in primaries for a number of municipal positions. Firstly, they can cast a ballot for District Attorney, the city’s chief prosecutor. Larry Krasner (D) and Carlos Vega (D) are the two Democratic candidates. Chuck Peruto (R) is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

Krasner, the incumbent, is a civil rights attorney who was elected on a progressive, criminal justice reform-focused platform. He is known for working to hold police accountable and address systemic racism. Krasner fired his now-opponent, Vega, on the first day he took office. With an endorsement from Philadelphia’s police union, Vega touts a “law and order” approach to prosecution and a desire to combat rising homicide rates that the city has seen while Krasner has been in office. Vega blames these increases on Krasner’s office; Krasner disagrees, and some experts believe that the pandemic has contributed to rises in homicides in cities across the country. 

The only debate between these two candidates will be broadcast on NBC10 and KYW Newsradio at 7 pm on Wednesday, May 5th.

Peruto, formerly a Democrat and now the only Republican candidate running for District Attorney, is a criminal defense attorney promising to focus on public safety and gun violence if elected.

[Further reading: Philly DA Candidates Krasner, Vega to Face Off in NBC10/KYW Newsradio Debate — NBC Philadelphia; A Soft-on-crime Backlash — Wall Street Journal; Carlos Vega’s “win at all costs” Prosecution — Philadelphia Citizen; ‘I’m going to kick Krasner’s ass’ — Philadelphia Weekly; 153 ex-prosecutors slammed DA Larry Krasner in a letter. The Innocence Project took aim at his challenger, Carlos Vega. — Philadelphia Inquirer]

City Controller

Rebecca Rhynhart (D) is running unopposed for reelection as City Controller, the city’s (and the school district’s) Chief Auditor. Rhynhart became the first woman ever elected to the position after leaving Wall Street in 2008 and working in Philadelphia government for ten years. She has quickly become a rising star of Philadelphia politics, prompting some to speculate about a possible Rhynhart mayoral candidacy in 2023.

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas

Philadelphians have lots of judicial candidates to choose from. In the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, there are 16 candidates running for eight open seats. This is the city’s general trial court, where judges serve 10-year terms.

Philadelphia Municipal Court

Four judges are running for three seats on the Philadelphia Municipal Court.

See this page from Philly Judges for more information on endorsements of Philadelphia’s judicial candidates.

Philadelphia Ballot Questions

Philadelphians will be asked to weigh in on the following ballot question: Shall The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for an expanded Board of License Inspection Review that can hear and decide cases in three-member panels? All registered voters in Philadelphia can vote on ballot questions.

Within each of Philadelphia’s 1,703 divisions, residents will also have the opportunity to vote for Judge of Election and Inspector of Election, the poll workers who run elections within their divisions.

Community members who are planning on voting should enter their address into this digital ballot tool from the Committee of Seventy for more information about candidates and a downloadable, customizable ballot for this year’s primaries. And then, don’t forget to show up to the polls on May 18th!