"Municipal elections directly affect every resident," Cortés said. "Your vote will help determine who will represent you in local government and judicial offices."
Voters will cast ballots in the primary election for a variety of municipal and county races, as well as for candidates seeking Supreme Court, Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas and municipal court seats. Local ballot questions also will appear in each county, including a question required by the Taxpayer Relief Act that asks voters to decide whether to reduce their local school property taxes by levying a local income tax.
All registered electors are entitled to vote on ballot questions and in all special elections that might be held concurrently with a primary. However, to vote in the primary, individuals must be registered and enrolled in a political party to vote in that party's primary.
The Department of State's online voter information center at VOTESPA.com includes tips for first-time voters and members of the armed services, and instructions on how to cast a ballot. The Web site also allows voters to obtain directions to their polling place from any location and to check their voter registration. Some areas of the Web site do require a login to protect voter registration information.
In addition, voters can practice voting on simulated versions of the machines they will use in their home counties on Election Day. Select "How to Vote" and pick the county of residence to try it. Videos with step-by-step instructions on the voting systems used in each county are available online, as well as links to each county board of elections. A Spanish version of the site is also available by clicking on the VOTA PA link.
