PUMP’s Guide to the PA General Election on November 2, 2021

PUMP Author Voting Rights

PUMP’s voter guide has everything Pittsburgh and Allegheny County voters need to know for the Pennsylvania general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2021.

Voters will decide on important local races including the Pittsburgh Mayoral race, Allegheny County Council races, judicial races, and more. Make sure your voice is heard on Election Day – read on to find key dates, candidate information, ways to get invovled, and more.

How to Vote: Dates, Deadlines, and Details

Key Dates

  • Voter Registration Deadline – October 18, 2021
  • Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline – October 26, 2021
  • ELECTION DAY – November 2, 2021
    • Polls are open from 7 AM-8 PM
    • Voted mail-in ballots must be received by the County Board of Elections by 8 PM

Register to Vote

Vote by Mail

All Pennsylvania voters can vote by mail. Voting by mail is safe, secure, and easy.

  • Apply for a mail-in ballot by Tuesday, October 26, 2021 (applications must by RECEIVED – not post-marked – by the county election office by 5 PM)
  • Fill out your ballot and follow all instructions to ensure it will be counted
  • Return your completed ballot in-person or by mail by 8 PM on Election Day (November 2)
  • Track the status of your ballot

Vote in Person on Election Day – Tuesday, November 2

Know Your Rights as a Voter

  • Votes PA Guide: Official information on your rights as a voter in Pennsylvania
  • Election Protection: State-by-state information on voting rights, plus a hotline you can contact with your questions or to report issues on Election Day.
    • Run into an issue while voting? Call 866-OUR-VOTE!
What’s on the Ballot: Learn about Key Races, the Candidates, and More

Vote School Board First! – Pittsburgh Public School Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9

Vote School Board First! is a coalition of dozens of organizations, including PUMP, led by A+ Schools, that urges voters to cast a ballot in school board races. Kids in our community depend on us to be informed voters. That’s why we’re asking you to Vote School Board First.

While many PPS school board races are decided in the primary election, your vote still matters in the general election.

School Board candidates by district:

  • District 1: Sylvia Wilson (R/D – Incumbent)
  • District 3: Sala Udin (D)
  • District 5:  Terry Kennedy (R) and Tracey Reed (D)
  • District 7: Jamie Piotrowski (D)
  • District 9: Veronic Edwards (R) and Gene Walker (D)

Pittsburgh Mayoral Race

State Representative Ed Gainey and Tony Moreno are vying for Pittsburgh Mayor in the General Election. Rep. Gainey won the Democratic primary election. Tony Moreno lost the Democratic nomination, but he won the Republican nomination.

Pittsburgh City Council: Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8

Pittsburgh City Council candidates by district:

  • District 2: Theresa Kail-Smith (D – Incumbent)
  • District 4: Anthony Coghill (D – Incumbent) and Connor Mulvaney (Green Party)
  • District 6: R. Daniel Lavelle (D – Incumbent)
  • District 8: Erika Strassburger (D – Incumbent)

Allegheny County Council – Districts 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 12

Allegheny County Council candidates by district:

  • District 1 Candidates: Jack Betkowski (D) and Joe Wise (R)
  • District 3 Candidates: Anita Prizio (D – Incumbent) and Meredith Dolan (R)
  • District 4 Candidates: Patrick Catena Jr. (D – Incumbent) and Jennie Brown (R)
  • District 8 Candidates: Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis (D) and Eric Casteel (R)
  • District 9 Candidates: Bob Macey (D – Incumbent)
  • District 12 Candidates: Robert Palmosina (D – Incumbent)

Allegheny County Sheriff

Kevin Kraus is the sole candidate for Allegheny County Sheriff.

Judicial Elections

Voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballot for a variety of elected judicial positions. PA Supreme Court: Candidates will be vying for a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, because Justice Thomas Saylor (R) has reached the court’s age limit of 75. Maria Mclaughlin (D) and Kevin Brobson (R) are running for the seat in the general election.

There are also elections for PA Judge of the Superior Court, PA Judge of the Commonwealth Court, and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. There are several retention elections for the Superior Court and Commonwealth Court – the elections will determine whether or not the incumbent judges keep their seats for another term.

Candidate Guides:

Candidate Forums, Debates, and Other Civic Engagement Events

#VirtualMeetings with VEEEM to provide voter education – VEEEM Pittsburgh

Candidate Forums:

Allegheny County Needs a Pro-Voter Agenda

Tell the Allegheny County Election Board it’s time to adopt a pro-voter agenda – sign on here.

PUMP wants to make sure your voice is heard on EVERY Election Day. That’s why we are working with dozens of other organizations and community leaders to advocate for a Pro-Voter Agenda in Allegheny County. This means:

  • Accessible ballot drop boxes
  • Expanded early voting sites
  • Fully-staffed polling places
  • Election information mailed to all voters
  • The freedom to vote – in the language voters speak
  • Robust public meeting schedule
  • Funding that protects the freedom to vote
  • and more.

Learn more about the Pro-Voter Agenda as outlined in this letter sent to the Allegheny County Board of Elections. Add your voice by signing on here.

Become a Poll Worker in Allegheny County

Sign up to be a poll worker in Allegheny County – Allegheny County is hiring poll workers to work the November 2nd election. Poll workers, also referred to as election officers, earn from $150 to $175 for the day. New poll workers also receive paid training.

Get Out the Vote in Your Community

Note: PUMP will be updating this blog regularly leading up to the November 2 election. If you know of an event or resource that we missed, please email katie@pump.org.