BETHELHEM, Pa. — Pennsylvania voters have a few more hours to file voter registration forms if they wish to participate in the 2025 municipal primary elections.
The deadline register for the May 20 primary is the close of business this afternoon.
Primary voters will select their party's nominees for local office in the November election, including positions such as mayor, school board director, county executive and township supervisor.
Given the extreme voter demographics or the lack of candidates in some communities, the primary results can decide outcomes of elections before unaffiliated voters ever head to the polls.
While voter turnout typically plummets in municipal elections, the results can have direct effects on an area's quality of life.
County, municipal and school board officials set local tax rates, establish policies on law enforcement, preside over hearings and trials and oversee local development and land use.
Closed primaries
Pennsylvania holds closed primaries, which limit primary participation to voters affiliated with the major parties.
However, there are no requirements to register with a specific party other than meeting the basic eligibility rules required of all voters.
To register to vote or change party affiliation, Pennsylvania residents can visit www.pavoterservices.pa.gov and select voter registration.Pennsylvania voter guidelines
To register to vote or change party affiliation, Pennsylvania residents can visit www.pavoterservices.pa.gov and select voter registration.
That option lets new voters register to vote for the first time and existing voters to update their information, such as a new address or a change in party affiliation.
Voters can cast ballots in person at their local polling place on May 20. They can also request a mail-in ballot up to the May 13 deadline.
Voters looking to vote by mail are encouraged to request their ballot as soon as possible since counties need time to process the request and mail it to voters.
