Election HQ: A voter guide to 2024 primary races

Primary election day in Pennsylvania is Tuesday, April 23. It is a presidential election year, so voters will be picking the Democrat and Republican candidates for the role, although the results are already a given as neither faces a challenger. It’s the same case in the battle for one of Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seats.

One Pittsburgh-area race that does feature two candidates is District 12 in the U.S. House, where Democrats will choose between incumbent Rep. Summer Lee and challenger Bhavini Patel, an Edgewood councilwoman.

Pennsylvania has a closed primary system, which means voters not registered to a party cannot vote in the primary. Voters registered as Democrat or Republican will decide which candidates from their party will go on to run in the general election in November.

The state has an online tool to let voters find their polling place by entering their address here.

For more information on polling places, go to the official election pages for your county:

• Allegheny County election page

• Westmoreland County election page

• Armstrong County election page

Election coverage from TribLIVE

April 22, 2024: Editorial: Voting is your duty and your obligation

Every year, twice a year, we do our best to push you to the polls. It’s your duty. It’s your responsibility. It is your privilege. But, this year, we are adding one more item to the list. It is your obligation.

April 21, 2024: GOP reverses course, says mail-in ballots key to 2024 success

Local Republican leaders are pushing voters to get in the game when it comes to mail-in ballots, even if the most prominent voice in the party still is resistant.

April 21, 2024: Voting precincts remain inaccessible to some disabled voters in Westmoreland County

Westmoreland County officials confirmed last week that about 5% of the county’s 306 voting precincts do not meet ADA standards. Federal law requires all voting precincts used during federal elections to be ADA compliant, but there are exceptions under state guidelines, according to officials.

April 1, 2024: A complete guide to who is on the primary ballot, when to vote, how to vote, where to vote, casting mail ballots and more

To help you prepare for the 2024 primary in Pennsylvania, Spotlight PA answered some of your most frequently asked questions.

April 17, 2024: In politically riven Pennsylvania, primary voters will pick candidates in presidential contest year

The two parties in Pennsylvania’s state House and its congressional delegation are nearly evenly divided, and that won’t change once results are in from next week’s primary election.

April 11, 2024: Voting rights groups appeal ruling that directs Pa. to reject undated mail ballots

After a court defeat, Pennsylvania voting rights organizations are trying to convince a larger group of federal appellate judges that the state shouldn’t be allowed to reject mail ballots that lack a proper date on their return envelopes.

April 10, 2024: Why independents can’t vote in the 2024 Pa. primary, and the slow-moving push to change that

Millions of voters are expected to cast ballots during Pennsylvania’s April 23 primary, choosing candidates to represent the Democratic and Republican parties in November. More than 1 million registered voters will also be excluded from that process.

March 29, 2024: Elections 101: What to know about poll watchers, and what they can and can’t do in Pennsylvania

As the 2024 election heats up, voters in Pennsylvania may hear candidates talk about poll watchers. Appointed by candidates or political parties, poll watchers are permitted to observe polling place setup, the voting process, and the counting of ballots.

March 25, 2024: ‘Many Jewish voters will be impacted’ as Pa. primary falls on Passover

Many of Pittsburgh’s Jewish residents may need to take advantage of mail-in ballots because the April 23 primary is also the first day of Passover.

March 18, 2024: Pennsylvania House speaker pushes for same-day registration and widely available early voting

The Pennsylvania House speaker that qualified residents should be able to register to vote at polling places on the day of elections, and that early voting centers should be open for two weeks beforehand.

U.S. President

Democrat	Republican
Joe Biden	Donald Trump

April 17, 2024: Biden tells Pittsburgh steelworkers that he, not Trump, has delivered for them

President Joe Biden blasted rival Donald Trump Wednesday during a speech to union steelworkers in Downtown Pittsburgh, assailing the former president — his expected opponent in November’s general election — for what he described as empty promises, infrastructure failures and a rollback of labor rights.

April 17, 2024: Biden campaign ad blitz features Washington, Pa. mayor, a steelworker

President Joe Biden’s campaign is turning up the heat on the presidential race and is using Washington, Pa. Mayor Joseph “JoJo” Burgess to do it as part of a multimillion-dollar ad blitz set to hit Pennsylvania Wednesday.

March 28, 2024: Pittsburgh group backs ‘uncommitted’ write-in campaign to protest President Joe Biden

A new statewide effort to get Pennsylvania Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in protest of President Joe Biden has garnered support from the Pittsburgh chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, a left-wing political group.

Feb. 20, 2024: ‘Real results’: VP Kamala Harris visits Pittsburgh to celebrate clean water efforts

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Pittsburgh on Tuesday to celebrate the region’s success in replacing more than 18,000 lead water lines and improving drinking water infrastructure.

Feb. 16, 2024: Hostile reaction greets Biden during East Palestine visit a year after train derailment

Just over a year after a fiery derailment shocked East Palestine, Ohio and the surrounding area, President Joe Biden visited the area for the first time Friday.

U.S. Senate

Democrat	Republican
Bob Casey Jr.	David McCormick

April 15, 2024: Sen. Bob Casey has big cash advantage over Dave McCormick, latest campaign finance filings show

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has nearly double the available cash of Republican challenger Dave McCormick, who has put nearly $2 million of his own money into this year’s campaign.

April 13, 2024: McCormick gets Trump’s endorsement in Pa. Senate race despite awkward history

Former President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick of Pennsylvania, urging his supporters in the state to “go out and vote for him” in one of the year’s most hotly contested Senate races.

March 22, 2024: Casey, McCormick to appear alone on Senate ballots in Pennsylvania after courts boot off challengers

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick will be the only eligible names on ballots for the office in Pennsylvania’s April primary after a ruling Friday by the state’s highest court.

Jan. 10, 2024. McCormick, Casey announce big campaign hauls in U.S. Senate race

Rivals in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race raised roughly $10 million combined in the past three months, setting the stage this year for yet another huge influx of cash into a legislative race in the Keystone State.

U.S. House, District 12

Democrat	Republican
Summer Lee Bhavini Patel	James Hayes

April 21, 2024: AOC on Pittsburgh’s South Side to rally for Democratic Congressional incumbent and fellow squad member Summer Lee

Left-wing firebrand U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among the arsenal of high-profile politicians who rallied Sunday for Congressional Democratic incumbent Summer Lee, whose 12th District primary against Bhavini Patel has become a hot-button race.

April 17, 2024: Podcast: A look at the Democratic primary between Summer Lee, Bhavini Patel

TribLive reporter Ryan Deto joins digital producer Zac Gibson to lay out the primary contest and walk through a profile of incumbent Rep. Summer Lee and challenger Bhavini Patel, an Edgewood councilwoman, in the battle for the District 12 seat in the U.S. House.

April 14, 2024: Summer Lee, Bhavini Patel face off in contentious Democratic primary for Congress

In October, Edgewood Councilwoman Bhavini Patel announced she would challenge U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, in the upcoming primary election, running against the fiery progressive for a second time.

April 11, 2024: Filings show top conservative donor Jeffrey Yass gave $800K to PAC attacking Summer Lee

A political group behind recent ads attacking U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, received $800,000 from Jeffrey Yass, a billionaire and conservative donor in the Philadelphia area, federal filings this week show.

April 10, 2024: Editorial: Is Lee-Patel race a bellwether for Pennsylvania in presidential year?

Is the fight for Pennsylvania’s 12th House district shaping up as a political science lesson?

April 5, 2024: Lee, Patel spar on TV over Biden support, Mideast war

Democratic U.S. Rep. Summer Lee and primary challenger Bhavini Patel sparred in their only scheduled televised debate, attacking each other over their positions on war in the Mideast and support of President Joe Biden.

April 4, 2024: Summer Lee is Pennsylvania’s most progressive representative in Congress and its only Democrat facing a primary fight

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee is Pennsylvania’s most progressive representative and the state’s lone Democratic incumbent facing a serious challenger in April’s primary. Her race is a microcosm of the debate between progressive and moderate Democrats headed into the November general election, and it’s shaping up to be an early test of progressive strength against outside group spending.

March 27, 2024: Bernie Sanders endorses Summer Lee for reelection

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, announced Wednesday he is endorsing U.S. Rep. Summer Lee in her reelection battle.

March 12, 2024: MacDonald ends topsy-turvy campaign, pulls plug on GOP write-in effort for Summer Lee’s seat

Laurie MacDonald has ended her bid for a seat in the U.S. House. Last week, MacDonald dropped out of the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District in the face of a challenge to her nominating petition signatures, but then announced a write-in effort in the Republican primary shortly after.

Feb. 22, 2024: Voters push to toss Summer Lee challenger Laurie MacDonald from primary ballot

The region’s most contentious primary election race just got spicier. Laurie MacDonald, one of two Democratic challengers trying to unseat a surging U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, is now facing a threat to her place on the ballot.

Feb. 12, 2024: In a first for Summer Lee, Allegheny County Dems back the incumbent congresswoman

Allegheny County Democrats endorsed U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, marking the first time that the progressive lawmaker has secured the local party’s backing in what is expected to be a hotly contested primary election.

Feb. 9, 2024: A canceled Pitt event for congressional candidate heats up 12th District race

The University of Pittsburgh recently canceled a speaking event with a local congressional candidate, adding tension to a three-way Democratic contest among Allegheny and Westmoreland county voters that is becoming increasingly contentious, and local political experts predict things will only get louder and nastier in the run up to the April election.

Feb. 2, 2024: Campaign cash flows in for Summer Lee, other progressives, amid Middle East stance

Money is surging into the campaigns of progressive lawmakers like U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, who are facing competitive races and have been outspoken in calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Jan. 25, 2024: Summer Lee’s campaign rakes in $1M in last quarter, her best showing

Preparing for what could be a tough primary election, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, said she raised $1 million in the last quarter of 2023, putting her on solid financial footing to take on her multiple challengers.

Jan. 17, 2024: Top House Democrats endorse Rep. Summer Lee in contested primary

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, is gathering some major support ahead of her contested spring primary, as she hopes to hold on to her seat during what is likely to be an expensive and competitive election.

U.S. House, District 14

Democrat	Republican
Ken Bach Christopher Dziados	Guy Reschenthaler

April 13, 2024: Democrats Bach, Dziados seek opportunity for fall race to unseat Reschenthaler in Congress

Democrats in Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District know there is a steep hill to climb. Businessman Ken Bach of Smithton or retired U.S. Navy veteran Christopher Dziados of South Strabane will attempt in November to oust three-term Republican incumbent Guy Reschenthaler, who has represented the six-county district since 2019.

U.S. House, District 17

Democrat	Republican
Chris Deluzio	Rob Mercuri

Jan 23, 2024: Rep. Chris Deluzio kicks off reelection campaign in key congressional district

The race for Southwestern Pennsylvania’s most pivotal congressional district got rolling. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall, kicked off his reelection campaign with an event at a training center for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

Pennsylvania attorney general

Democrat	Republican
Keir Bradford-Grey Eugene DePasquale Joe Khan Jared Solomon Jack Stollsteimer	Dave Sunday Craig Williams

Pa Senate

District 45

April 20, 2024: 45th Senate District sees competitive Dem, GOP primary races

Allegheny County’s 45th state Senatorial District has attracted more candidates than any other race in the region, in a contest that could be crucial in determining which party controls the state legislature’s upper chamber next year.

Jan. 25, 2024: Plum’s Dintini vies to flip Brewster’s Pa. Senate seat to GOP

One of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s key state Senate districts that will be up for grabs in November has garnered a Republican challenger.

Jan. 11, 2024: West Mifflin Rep. Pisciottano announces run to replace McKeesport’s Brewster in Pa. Senate

Less than a day after longtime State Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, announced his retirement, the Mon Valley district has attracted a would-be successor. State Rep. Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin, announced that he is running for Pennsylvania State Senate District 45, which covers Allegheny County’s Mon Valley, as well as eastern and southern suburbs such as Plum, Monroeville, Brentwood, Baldwin and Castle Shannon.

Jan. 10, 2024: State Sen. Jim Brewster retiring at end of 2024

A Mon Valley political fixture is stepping down from his state Senate seat, but he insists it won’t lead to a sea change in his district. State Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, said that he is retiring at the end of this year. He will not seek reelection.

District 37

Jan. 18, 2024: Robinson launches reelection bid in pivotal Pa. Senate district

State Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Bridgeville, announced his reelection campaign in a pivotal Southwestern Pennsylvania district that could help determine which party controls the Senate.

Jan. 17, 2024: Librarian Nicole Ruscitto takes aim at flipping pivotal South Hills state senate seat

One of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s most crucial state senate districts has a challenger, as school librarian and local basketball coach Nicole Ruscitto announced her candidacy. Ruscitto, a Jefferson Hills Democrat who works in the South Park School District, is challenging Republican incumbent Sen. Devlin Robinson of Bridgeville for the 37th District seat.

Pa. House

District 28

Jan. 24, 2024: Frequent GOP candidate Shaffer launches bid for North Hills House seat

Jeremy Shaffer, a frequent Republican political candidate in Pittsburgh’s North Hills, is taking another shot at elected office, this time for a state House seat being vacated.

District 32

April 20, 2024: 32nd District Democrats to get first full chance at naming late Rep. DeLuca’s successor

For the first time since 1982, the Democrat ballot for Pennsylvania’s 32nd House District won’t feature Tony DeLuca.

District 34

April 20, 2024: Challenger Comans seeks to oust incumbent Salisbury in Democratic primary for Pa. House’s 34th District

In Pittsburgh’s East End neighborhoods and nearby suburbs, a Democratic primary battle for a state House seat is pitting a progressive challenger against a mainstream incumbent.

District 55

Apr. 15, 2024: Cooper to face Republican challenger in 55th District primary

First-term state legislator Jill Cooper will face a primary challenge from a fellow Murrysville Republican this month. Cooper, 62, elected in 2022, will compete for the 55th District seat against Jamie Lingg, 50, who is in her first term on Murrysville Council.

Allegheny County ballot boxes

March 30, 2024: Allegheny County’s elections board OKs ballot drop-off sites with 3-0 vote

Allegheny County’s new ballot drop-off locations are finally official.

March 18, 2024: Settlement reached in dispute over Allegheny County ballot drop boxes

Four days after suing Allegheny County’s chief executive for overreaching her authority by announcing mail-in ballot drop-off locations without approval from the county elections board, the plaintiffs Monday agreed to withdraw their complaint.

March 14, 2024: DeMarco sues Innamorato over Allegheny County ballot drop-off locations

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato’s plan to add five locations to drop off mail-in ballots throughout the county is facing a legal challenge — but one that might be short-lived.

Feb. 22, 2024: Allegheny County to add 5 ballot drop-off locations for primary election

Voters in Allegheny County will have more options to drop off mail-in ballots in time for April’s primary.

Westmoreland County ballot boxes

March 28, 2024: Westmoreland GOP commissioners again nix drop boxes for mail-in ballots

Westmoreland County’s two Republican commissioners denied a request from several voters to install drop boxes throughout the county in advance of the April 23 primary.

March 6, 2024: GOP commissioners reject call for drop box use in Westmoreland County

Westmoreland County’s Republican commissioners said they will not consider installation of drop boxes for mail-in ballots at the courthouse or at remote locations around the county for this spring’s presidential primary or the fall general election.