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Pennsylvania’s Primary Election is May 20, 2025! Do you know what's on your ballot?

  • May 2
  • 3 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

Pennsylvania’s Primary Election Day is right around the corner — Tuesday, May 20, 2025 — and it’s an important opportunity to make your voice heard. While many voters tend to focus on the November general election, primary elections play a critical role in shaping who ends up on the ballot in the first place.

Visit Pennsylvania Department of State for all your voting and election needs.
Visit Pennsylvania Department of State for all your voting and election needs.

What Is a Primary Election, and Why Does It Matter?

Primary elections determine which candidates will represent each political party in the November general election. Think of the primary as the first round — where members of each party choose their nominee for a variety of state and local offices. The winners from each party then face off in November.


In Pennsylvania, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in the primary, because we have a closed primary system. If you're registered as an Independent or with a third party, you won’t be able to vote for candidates in the primary — but you can vote in the general election in November.


Why This Election Matters – Especially for Pennsylvania’s Courts

This year’s primary includes judicial elections, and they’re more important than many realize. Judges make decisions on everything from civil rights to voting access, criminal justice, and more.


In 2025, voters will be selecting candidates for:

  • Pennsylvania Superior Court

  • Commonwealth Court

  • Judicial Retention Votes for Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Court judges


Judicial retention questions will ask voters whether certain sitting judges should remain on the bench. These votes are vital in maintaining accountability and ensuring a fair and balanced judiciary. Retaining or replacing them can directly impact how fairly and consistently our laws are applied.


What’s On the Ballot?

Judicial Elections

  • Superior Court: One vacancy is to be filled due to Justice Dan McCaffery's election to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2023.

    • Democratic Primary: Brandon Neuman, Judge of the Washington County Court of Common Pleas.

    • Republican Primary: Maria Battista, president of Judge Government Services, and Ann Marie Wheatcraft, president judge of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.

  • Commonwealth Court: One seat is up for election following Judge Ellen Ceisler's retirement in January 2025.

    • Democratic Primary: Stella Tsai, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.

    • Republican Primary: Matthew Wolford, environmental attorney, and Joshua Prince, gun rights attorney.


*Judicial Retention Votes

Voters will decide whether to retain several judges:

  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht.

  • Superior Court: Judge Alice B. Dubow.

  • Commonwealth Court: Judge Michael H. Wojcik.


Municipal Elections

Several key municipal positions are on the ballot:

  • Philadelphia District Attorney: Incumbent Larry Krasner is seeking a third term and faces a primary challenge from former Municipal Court Judge Patrick Dugan.

  • Pittsburgh Mayor: Incumbent Ed Gainey is running for re-election against Allegheny County Controller Corey O'Connor.

  • Harrisburg Mayor: A crowded Democratic primary includes incumbent Wanda Williams, City Treasurer Dan Miller, City Councilman Lamont Jones, and others. (Axios, Axios)


Key Deadlines

  • Last day to register to vote for the Primary is: May 5, 2025

  • Last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for the Primary: May 13, 2025 Learn how to fill out your mail-in ballot by clicking here. To find a drop box click here.

  • Primary Election Day: May 20, 2025 (polls open from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM)


See What’s on Your Ballot

Not sure who or what you’ll be voting on? Visit BallotReady to see a personalized preview of your ballot based on where you live in Pennsylvania. You’ll also find nonpartisan info on candidates and ballot measures.


Final Thought

Primary elections may not get as much attention as the general, but they are just as important. This is your chance to shape the choices you’ll see on the November ballot — and to weigh in on who holds key judicial and local positions. So, check your registration, learn about your candidates, and make a plan to vote on May 20th. Your voice matters!


*If you would like to learn more about judge retention, watch our April 2025 General Membership meeting where Kadida Kenner, CEO of the New Pennsylvania Project, discusses how retention will impact our courts for years to come.




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