League of Women Voters of Centre County: Prepare now to vote in the May 17 primary election

May 17, 2022 is the Pennsylvania primary election.

Pennsylvania is a state that has closed primary elections. That means, in PA, you must be registered as a Democrat or Republican to vote for candidates in the 2022 spring primary. All registered voters in Centre County may vote on Constitutional Amendments, ballot questions or other referenda in primary elections if any are on the primary ballot. There will be none on the 2022 spring primary ballot. Only those voters who are registered as Republican or Democrat may vote for their party’s candidates in this election.

Monday, May 2, is the deadline to register or make changes to your voter registration. Your submission must be received by the Elections Office by 5 p.m. that day. Check your registration status, register or change your registration (name, address, or party affiliation) at CentreCountyVotes.gov. Don’t wait until the last minute to register or to make changes to your registration; we encourage you to do it now! Contact the Centre County Elections Office for assistance, questions, or to request a paper form at 814-355-6703.

Tuesday, May 10, is the last day to apply to vote by mail either by absentee ballot or by a no excuse mail-in-ballot. Completed applications must be received by the Elections Office by 5 p.m. that day. Don’t wait until the last minute; do it now! You may apply online at CentreCountyVotes.gov, download an application to return by mail, or contact the Elections Office at 814-355-6703 to request a ballot application.

Tuesday, May 17, is the primary election. Mailed ballots must be received by the Elections Office by 8 p.m. (The date of the postmark does not count.) Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for in-person voting. Find up-to-date information on the Elections Office website, CentreCountyVotes.gov and visit VOTE411.org to view and personalize your sample ballot to prepare for voting.

For the 2022 Primary Election, your ballot will include your party’s candidates for the following offices:

• US Senate candidates
• US House candidates (Note: District 15 now includes all of Centre County)
• PA Governor
• PA Lieutenant Governor
• PA State House Districts 77, 82, and 171

Where to find nonpartisan candidate information: The League of Women Voters of Centre County (LWVCC) Voters Guide will be published in print through the civic generosity of the Centre Daily Times and the Centre County Gazette during the first week of May. The guide provides answers, in the candidates’ own words, to questions of importance to all voters. It is also an important tool to help you learn about a candidate’s positions in comparison to the other candidates in that contest. All candidates appearing on the ballot have been invited to participate. Those who decline participation will be noted. The guide will also be available online at www.lwvcentrecounty.org. In addition, the LWVCC site will provide a link to the C-NET candidate interviews.

When our country was founded and our constitution was established, our founders counted on all eligible voters to eagerly elect those who would represent their views in government. Elections provide voters the ability to hold those elected officials accountable for passing legislation that benefits the country, states and communities. Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy. It is how we voters decide, when the ballots are cast, who represents our views and protects our country and people and who, we the people decide does not. LWVCC encourages voters to engage with their government by voting in every election for which they are eligible, increasing voter turnout and thereby increasing participation in our democracy. Don’t just be a political spectator. Show your support for your democracy. Make your voice heard by voting for the candidates of your choice!

The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Centre County offers additional resources at LWVCentreCounty.org, including Voter’s Guides and a Voter’s Toolkit. We urge you to check your registration, research candidates and issues, and vote!