2026 Midterms State GuidePennsylvania
Hold on to your cheesesteaks and construction cones.
- PrimaryStatewideMay 19This date has passed.
- Election DayGeneralNov. 3
Updated
Hi! It’s me, Shadrach. Apparently, I’m your civic guide today. If you’ve been complaining about how things are going (and I’ve heard you, the walls are thin), this guide will help you feel informed and able to vote in this year’s midterms. Now, hold on to your cheesesteaks and construction cones, and let’s get into it.
Pennsylvania at a glance
Pennsylvania votes on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, for governor and all 17 U.S. House seats.
- Election Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
- Voter registration
- Oct. 19: Voter registration deadline
- Early voting
- Sept. 14: In-person absentee voting begins at county election offices
- Governor
- 3 candidates
- U.S. House
- 17 seats
- Statewide ballot measures
- None
Your to-do list
0 of 3 doneImportant dates
- May 19Primary This date has passed.
- Sept. 14In-person absentee voting begins at county election offices This date has passed.
- Oct. 19Voter registration deadline
- Oct. 27Mail-in and absentee ballot request deadline
- Nov. 3General Election Day
What’s at stake
The commonwealth will be closely-watched this cycle. Though it doesn’t have a Senate race, its House race features three competitive districts that Democrats hope to flip in order to gain Lower Chamber control. On top of that, Keystone State voters aren’t feelin’ hot about the state of their wallets. According to a 2026 Franklin & Marshall College poll, Republicans and Democrats are united in saying the economy is the number one issue facing the state, with 21% of voters placing it up top. Voters ranked government and politicians second (12%), followed by taxes (11%), data centers/AI (6%), and unemployment/personal finances. 41% would say Pennsylvania is headed in the right direction, 45% say it isn’t, and 15% said 🤷.
Who’s on your ballot
Tap a race to see the candidates.
Pennsylvania is choosing a governor
See whose priorities line up with yours
Here are the top priorities each candidate lists, in their own words. Pick the 3 that matter most to you. Names stay hidden until you see your results.
0 of 3 picked
Josh ShapiroDemocratincumbent
Top priorities- Create opportunities for innovation, job creation, and economic development.
- Fund public schools, increase career and technical education, expand higher education opportunities, support teachers, and empower parents.
- Support law enforcement and first responders, invest in after school programs and community-based violence prevention initiatives, and pursue smart reforms for public safety.
- Top priorities
Stacy GarrityRepublican- Lift the ban on new drilling sites and call a Special Session on Energy to fast-track permits for natural gas production, pipelines, and power plants; eliminate duplicative and outdated regulations; set firm timelines for approvals; roll back costly mandates; and reform or pause renewable energy and efficiency mandates.
- Cut taxes and eliminate hidden costs on electric bills, roll back or eliminate the gross receipts tax on utilities, end tax stacking on energy bills, require full transparency of all taxes and surcharges, and fast-track bringing new power plants online to meet demand and keep costs low.
- Redirect existing state spending, investment accounts, and interest earnings toward property tax rebates for homeowners; reduce the property tax burden by one-third within the first two years; and rein in the growth of government that drives up local property taxes.
- Top priorities
Ken KrawchukLibertarian- Use current state funding to provide every student with an $11,500 Education Savings Account and let parents choose any school for their child.
- Veto every tax increase and introduce a series of budgets that will completely eliminate the Pennsylvania personal income tax over four years.
- Eliminate mail-in ballots in favor of in-person voting, require ID for citizens to vote, ban out-of-state political contributions, institute term limits, end gerrymandering with Precinct-Preserving Splitline Districting, and allow voters to vote against a candidate.
All U.S. House of Representatives seats are up for election every two years. Find your district here.
- Shadrach’s big picture
Pennsylvanians will elect 17 candidates to represent them in the U.S. House. Pennsylvania is a solidly purple state, with seven seats expected to be held by Democrats, seven seats expected to be held by Republicans, and three that could go either way (they’re currently held by Republicans). It’ll be among the most closely watched states to determine House control this election cycle.
- Open seats
One. Rep. Dwight Evans (D-3) is retiring from office.
- Competitive districts
Three Pennsylvania districts are considered competitive (the most of any state this cycle): PA-7, PA-8, and PA-10. PA-1 is considered likely Republican; PA-9, PA-11, and PA-13–PA-16 are seen as solidly Republican, and the rest are considered solidly Democrat. No Republican even filed to run in PA-3, so it is guaranteed to Democrats, but candidates in both parties filed to run in the other districts so none are guaranteed.
Also on the ballot
Other races Pennsylvania voters will decide.
- Lieutenant Governor
- State Senate
- State House
- Special state legislative
Whose job is it?
Ten things government does. Tap the office that does each one.
Whose job is it to…
1 of 10
Declare a state of emergency after a hurricane or flood?
Pass it on
Know someone voting in Pennsylvania?
Send them the guide. It takes one tap, and it saves them an evening of arguing in a group chat.
A prayer for Pennsylvania
O God of mountains, waterways, and forests, the Keystone State is Yours. We lift voters to You in their deep divisions; draw near as they enter the ballot box, and unite them in the things that matter most. Give them unconditional love for their neighbors. Help them prioritize the good of their communities, and teach them to seek Your glory above all. May they cast their votes with conviction and hold the outcome with open hands.
Shield candidates from the temptation to win at any cost. May they lead with humility and remember that the people they seek to represent belong to You before they belong to any party. If they win, surround them with wise counsel, and guide them toward decisions that serve their constituents. For those who lose, may they do so with dignity and a unifying spirit.
Guard the hearts and minds of those weighed down by the noise, grieved by the division, or afraid of what comes next. For You are not shaken by elections, You govern governors, and Your kingdom will not be moved.
Amen.