We’re just days away from the 2022 primaries in Pennsylvania. Here’s everything you need to know for voting on primary Election Day, May 17.
Democratic and Republican voters in Lebanon County will help choose their candidates for this fall’s general election in the following races:
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- United States Senator
- United States Representative
- State Senator
- State Representative
- State Committee Member
To vote in Tuesday’s primary election, voters must be registered to either the Democratic or Republican party. There are no races or ballot questions open to local Independent voters this primary Election Day.
Polls on Tuesday will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. First-time voters will need to bring a state-issued photo ID. Lebanon County elections director Sean D. Drasher said that at present the county is fully staffed for poll workers.
“Overall everything is coming together and running pretty smoothly,” said Drasher.
If you had registered for a mail-in ballot, it must arrive at the Lebanon County Bureau of Elections and Voter Registration by the end of Election Day. Although Drasher says that mail service has been great, he highly encourages the public to not wait to the last minute.
The drop box at the rear entrance of the Lebanon County Municipal Building, 400 S. 8th St., will be open until 8 p.m. on Election Day. The voter registration office will also be staffed if you would prefer to process your mail-in ballot in person, although Drasher notes that due to the time for paperwork, voters should arrive before 4 p.m.
“If someone has a ballot and wants to drop it off, do so as soon as possible,” he said. “Life happens and I’d hate for someone to put it off until the last minute and then have something come up.”
“That said … no matter what we will count it right up until that last-minute drop on Election Day!”
If you had registered for a mail-in ballot but changed your mind and want to vote in person, you still can. “Simply go to your assigned poll, bringing your mail-in ballot AND the envelopes it came with along with you,” said Drasher. “When you turn it in at the polls, they will let you vote in person normally.”
The only polling place change for this election is a move of the Jackson East (23E) location one-half mile, from the Myerstown Borough building to StoneRidge (440 E Lincoln Ave.). There are about 1,000 voters in this precinct. See a map of the previous and current locations for Jackson East here (PDF).
Although statewide races will be hotly contested, voters will have limited choices in local races this primary Election Day.
Read More: Lebanon County voters will have limited choices at the polls for May 17 primary
With state Rep. Frank Ryan retiring at the end of his current term, both parties have just a single candidate for the 101st State House District, giving them a clear shot to the general election – John Schlegel for the Republicans and Cavi Miller for the Democrats, both of Cornwall.
Read More: Cornwall Democrat takes aim at state House seat in Lebanon’s 101st District
Read More: Retired educator sets sights on Frank Ryan’s legislative seat in Harrisburg
The same is true for the 102nd State House District, where incumbent Russ Diamond is up for reelection in an uncontested primary, with Laura Quick as the only Democrat on the primary ballot. Diamond is also running for lieutenant governor, in a contest with more than a half-dozen other candidates.
Read More: Diamond runs dual campaigns for state rep reelection, lieutenant governor’s seat
Read More: Palmyra Democrat eyes state House seat in the new 102nd Legislative District
The 98th Legislative District seat is currently held by Dave Hickernell, a Lancaster County Republican, who announced in December he would not seek reelection. South Londonderry Township Republican Faith Bucks will face three Lancaster County Republicans – Lu Ann Fahndrich, Logan Hoover and Tom Jones – in the May primary. Mark Temons, also of Lancaster County, is the lone Democratic contender for the seat.
Read More: Construction designer wants Democratic nomination for 98th State House seat
Read More: Campbelltown chiropractor vies with 3 Lancaster Republicans for 98th seat
Finally, the primary races for Pennsylvania’s 48th Senatorial District are also uncontested, with Republican Chris Gebhard vying for his first full four-year term following his win in a May 2021 special election to fill the unexpired term of Senator Dave Arnold, who died after a battle with cancer. Gebhard is likely to face Calvin “Doc” Clements, the sole candidate in the Democratic primary for the 48th seat.
Read More: Retired veterinarian Doc Clements makes another run for state Legislature
Read More: GOP Senator Chris Gebhard hopes to keep seat in Harrisburg after primary
Spotlight PA and WHYY have comprehensive voter guides about the more hotly-contested primary races for Governor and US Senator
Read More: Your guide to the Democratic and GOP candidates for governor
Read More: What you need to know about Pennsylvania’s 2022 race for U.S. Senate
LebTown will be here with complete primary results following Tuesday’s election.
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