Primary 2021: What you need to know about voting on May 18, who's on the ballot

Teresa Boeckel
York Daily Record

Voters in Pennsylvania will be casting their ballots on May 18 for the primary.

It is a closed primary, meaning that only voters who are registered Democratic or Republican may vote on candidates in their respective parties.

However, the ballot also will have four statewide questions, and voters of any party affiliation can vote on them.

They will be deciding on candidates for countywide offices, municipal leadership and school board directors.

In addition, a special election for the 48th state Senate seat will be held the same date. The district covers Lebanon and parts of Dauphin and York counties, and voters of any party affiliation can cast a ballot in that race as well. 

Here's what you need to know:

Primary day information

When: Tuesday, May 18. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Are you registered? Find the status of your voter registration online at www.votespa.com. The deadline to register is May 3.

Mail-in ballot: Apply for a no-excuse mail-in or absentee ballot online at www.votespa.com or contact your local elections office. The deadline to apply is May 11. Voters must renew their request for a mail ballot annually or for each election.

Polling places: Find where you go to vote:

Adams County: adamscounty.us

Franklin County: franklincountypa.gov

Lebanon County: lebcounty.org

York County:yorkcountypa.gov

Four ballot questions open to all voters

Voters of any party affiliation will be able to cast a "yes" or "no" vote on four ballot questions. One is a statewide referendum, and three are proposed Constitutional amendments, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Here are the four:

Loan eligibility for municipal fire and emergency medical service companies 

Currently, municipal fire departments with paid personnel and emergency medical service companies are not eligible to apply for loans through an existing state loan program. A statewide referendum, if approved, would allow companies to apply for loans to replace outdated buildings, vehicles and equipment.

Termination or extension of disaster emergency declarations

The proposed Constitutional amendment would allow the General Assembly to terminate or extend disaster emergency declarations without the governor's approval.

Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, vetoed a resolution last summer that would have ended his COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration. The state Supreme Court determined that under the state Constitution, the resolution needed to go to the governor for approval.

Under the proposed change to Article III, Section 9, the General Assembly would be able to terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration through a resolution approved by a majority of the members of the House and Senate.

The proposal only applies to disaster emergency declarations issued by the governor.

Disaster emergency declaration and management

Another proposed Constitutional amendment also addresses emergency declarations.

In this one, a disaster emergency declaration issued by the governor would expire after 21 days  — unless the General Assembly extends part or all of it through the passage of a concurrent resolution. Currently, declarations are issued for 90 days.

The proposed change also would prohibit the governor from issuing a new disaster declaration — unless approved by the General Assembly — after the current one expires. 

If approved, it would add a new section to Article IV.

More:Should Gov. Wolf's emergency COVID powers be curtailed? How voters will decide in May

More:Mail-in ballots for 2021: Voters must renew their request each year. Here's how to do it.

Prohibition against denial or abridgement of equal rights 

A proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution would guarantee equality of rights under the state law. 

If approved, it would prohibit state, county and local government entities from restricting or denying an individual's equal rights because of race or ethnicity.

The amendment could not be eliminated unless a judge found it unconstitutional or another Constitutional amendment is approved.

48th Senate District seat

A special election is being held at the same time as the primary to fill the seat of state Sen. Dave Arnold, who died in January of brain cancer.

Whoever wins will serve the remainder of the term until it expires in two years.

Four candidates are running for the seat:

  • Calvin "Doc" Clements, Democratic
  • Christopher Gebhard, Republican
  • Ed Krebs, Independent
  • Tim McMaster, Libertarian

Unlike the primary ballot, any registered voter can vote on this special race.

The district covers all of Lebanon County and includes parts of York and Dauphin counties. 

In York County, the following municipalities fall in the district:

  • Conewago Township
  • East Manchester Township
  • Goldsboro borough
  • Lewisberry borough
  • Manchester borough
  • Mount Wolf borough
  • Newberry Township
  • Springettsbury Township
  • York Haven borough

Statewide races

Voters will be selecting candidates for statewide judicial positions.

Justice of the Supreme Court

1 nomination, 10-year term

Kevin Brobson, Republican

Patricia A. McCullough, Republican

Maria McLaughlin, Democratic

Paula Patrick, Republican

Judge of the Superior Court

1 nomination, 10-year term

Jill Lipman Beck, Democratic  

Timika Lane, Democratic

Bryan Neft, Democratic

Megan Sullivan, Republican

Judge of the Commonwealth Court

2 nominations, 10-year term

Drew Crompton, Republican

Lori A. Dumas, Democratic

Amanda Green Hawkins, Democratic

David Lee Spurgeon, Democratic  

Sierra Street, Democratic  

Stacy Marie Wallace, Republican

More:Primary 2021: Who is running for office in Adams County?

More:Here's who is running for local offices in Franklin County in the 2021 primary election

More:Primary 2021: Who is running for office in Lebanon County?

More:Primary 2021: Who is running for office in York County?

Who's on the ballot?

Voters can take a look at who will be on the ballot in the upcoming primary.

Election offices post a list of candidates running for office on their website. Some are available now. Others will be available closer to the primary.

Here's how to find the elections office:

Adams County: adamscounty.us

Franklin County: franklincountypa.gov

Lebanon County: lebcounty.org

York County:yorkcountypa.gov

How to contact your elections office

Adams County

Director: Angie Crouse

Address: Elections & Voter Registration, 117 Baltimore St., Gettysburg, PA 17325

Phone: (717) 337-9832

Website: adamscounty.us

Franklin County

Chief Registrar: Jennie M. Aines 

Address: Franklin Voter Registration Office, 157 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17201

Phone: (717) 261-3886

Website: franklincountypa.gov

Lebanon County

Director: Michael L. Anderson

Address: Elections & Voter Registration, Municipal Building, Room 209, 400 South 8th St., Lebanon, PA 17042

Phone: (717) 228-4428

Website: www.lebcounty.org

York County

​Director: Steve Ulrich

Address: York County Administrative Center, 28 E. Market St., York, PA 17401

Phone: (717) 771-9604

Website: yorkcountypa.gov