Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Be it Hellertown and Lower Saucon’s park space, historic landmarks or culture and collaboration as a whole, the local council and school board met to discuss their communities ahead of the May 20 primary election.

Carol Obando-Derstine will enter the 2026 Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional primary. The battleground district is held by U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican serving his first term.

This week on Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick talk about the impact primary elections have beyond what meets the eye, like campaign challenges and voter fatigue.

Tara Zrinski and Amy Cozze are seeking the Democratic nomination for county executive in the May 20 primary election. They debated Wednesday at Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem.

Five candidates on stage spoke of the city’s need for more affordable housing and public safety improvements but tried to differentiate their plans. Two women running for council were not allowed to participate.

Six of the nine candidates for Allentown School Board participated in the Tuesday event, which was organized by the Allentown Crime Watch Presidents’ Council in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Lehigh County.

Mayor J. William Reynolds and Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith met at the Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem for a debate Monday night. They are seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor in the 2025 Primary Election.

Politicians seeking five offices have agreed to participate in a “Candidates’ Night” event from 5-9 p.m. at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 417 N. 7th St.

The Vermont senator will speak Saturday, May 3, during a rally at the Stabler Athletic & Convocation Center at Lehigh University, according to his website.

New voter cards with updated information have been sent to residents in each precinct, according to the county elections office.

A federal court has directed Pennsylvania counties to accept mail ballots that a voter has failed to date or misdated, a long-awaited decision that could affect thousands of ballots in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

The debate will be held in Kirby Sports Center on the Easton campus. Additional details, including the format and moderators, will be announced as they are identified, college officials said.

Widespread errors in Northampton County's voting machines need to be investigated before results from Nov. 7 are certified, according to the chair of the Northampton County Republican Committee.

News Director Jen Rehill talks to reporters Will Oliver and Tom Shortell.

Lower Saucon Township Council voted 4-1 on Wednesday, approving a reporting system on the township website and a letter of concern to be sent to Northampton County officials.

LehighValleyNews.com tonight will livestream a special program from the Univest Public Media Studio in Bethlehem. 'Beyond the Ballot' will analyze the Nov. 7 general election and look ahead to the 2024 presidential and congressional elections.

WLVR's Megan Frank talks with reporters Phil Gianficaro and Tom Shortell.

Democrat Thomas Johns won a seat on the South Whitehall Board of Commissioners over the incumbents' preferred candidate, Republican Chris Peischl.

Most unofficial election results remain the same in Northampton County, but one school board race has shifted after nearly all emergency ballots were counted Thursday.

A state representative is demanding Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure resign over the voting machine issues discovered on Election Day. Said McClure: 'I have absolutely no plan to resign.'

An error with the Northampton County voting machines led to thousands of voters across the region casting their ballot with emergency paper ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.

The Lehigh Valley saw voter turnout top 30% in Tuesday's municipal election, more than 10 points higher than local races saw a decade ago.