2024 Elections Guide
How to use this elections guide!
Federal, statewide, and local elections have a significant impact on how we do business. Before you head to the polls, make sure you have all the knowledge needed to make an educated decision. Browse this elections guide to learn more about the current election landscape, the elections process, and how to ensure your vote is counted. Feel free to share this with your colleagues/employees to double the impact!
Primary Election
Purpose of the Primary Election
Primaries are elections that political parties use to select candidates for a general election. Then each party’s candidates run against each other in the general election.
Pennsylvania runs a “Closed Primary”
In a closed primary, voters may only vote in the primary of the party they are registered with. For example, a voter registered as a Republican can only vote in a Republican primary. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not able to participate in the primary.
“Winner takes all” system
In Pennsylvania, the winner of a primary election is the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes, even if he or she does not win an outright majority of votes cast. The parties determine the number of delegates in each state, with Republicans awarding 67 delegates and Democrats awarding 173 delegates to their respective nominating conventions.
Important Dates
April 8
Register to vote by April 8. If you’ve moved, changed your name, or wish to change your party affiliation, you can update your registration status online, by mail, or in person using the voter registration application form.
April 16
Mail-in ballot or absentee ballots must be requested by 5pm. Registered voters can apply for a Mail-in Ballot online, download, print, and mail in an application, or fill out an application in-person at the Lancaster County Office of Elections.
April 23
Completed mail-in ballots must be received by the Lancaster County Office of Elections by 8pm. Ballots may be mailed to: P.O. Box 2139 Lancaster, PA 1760. You can track the progress of your absentee or mail-in ballot at vote.pa.gov/MailBallotStatus. Voters may drop off their own ballots at 150 N Queen St. Suite 117 Lancaster, PA 17603.
Terms and Elections
Pennsylvania
| Governing Body | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | X | 4 | ||
| U.S. Senate | X | X | 6 | |
| U.S. House | X | X | 2 | |
| Governor | X | 4 | ||
| Other State Executive | X | X | 2 | |
| State Senate | X | X | 4 | |
| State House | X | X | 2 | |
| State Supreme Court | X | 10 | ||
| Appellate Court | X | 10 | ||
| Municipal Government | X | Varies | ||
| School Board | X | Varies | ||
| Ballot Measures | X | N/A |
LEARN MORE…
OVERVIEW OF STATE GOVERNMENT AND CONGRESS
Learn more about how our state and federal government work & find out who your legislators are here.
SEE WHAT’S ON YOUR BALLOT
Check out your personalized voter information at Vote411 and
Ballotpedia.
IMPACT REPORT
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Questions?
Contact Kat DeSantis, Public Policy Coordinator
kdesantis@lancasterchamber.com
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