There’s more at stake than just the presidential race on Nov. 5. Verify your district and ward, use this tool to see your sample ballot in Allegheny County, and then study up on state-wide and local races below ⬇️
Outside of Allegheny County?PublicSource has my favorite interactive guides for Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
U.S. Senate
- Role: represent their state in Washington, D.C.
- Duties: introduce and vote on bills, serve on legislative committees, approve cabinet and judicial nominees, conduct impeachment trials, and OK treaties
🗳️ Voting guide! One of Pennsylvania’s two Senate seats (a six-year term) is up for election, and the results could determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the chamber.
- Learn where candidates stand on issues like health care, reproductive rights, fracking, and more at SpotlightPA, 90.5 WESA, and City & State PA. Or watch the candidates debate here and here.
PA Attorney General
- Role: the commonwealth’s top law enforcement official
- Duties: oversee a staff of hundreds who prosecute organized crime, investigate public corruption, enforce tax law, and represent the commonwealth in legal matters
🗳️ Voting guide! The state attorney general serves a four-year term.
- Learn candidates’ positions on issues like reproductive rights, cannabis legalization, and capital punishment at SpotlightPA, 90.5 WESA, and City & State PA.
PA Auditor General
- Role: the state’s chief fiscal watchdog
- Duties: audit government entities and share results with lawmakers and the public
🗳️ Voting guide! The state auditor general serves a four-year term.
- Learn about candidate qualifications at SpotlightPA, 90.5 WESA, and City & State PA. Or watch the candidates debate here and here.
PA Treasurer
- Role: manage Pennsylvania’s money
- Duties: make and receive payments on the commonwealth’s behalf, oversee deposits and withdrawals by state agencies, and manage state investments
🗳️ Voting guide! The state treasurer serves a four-year term.
- Learn where candidates stand on issues like state investments, pension funds, college savings programs, and more at Spotlight PA and 90.5 WESA.
Representative in Congress
- Role: represent their geographic areas in one of Washington’s two legislative chambers
- Duties: introduce bills and resolutions, serve on committees, and vote on legislation
🗳️ Voting guide! The House has 435 voting members elected every two years.
- Learn about candidates in your district with PublicSource’s interactive guide.
✍️ This election guide was written in collaboration with Asha Prihar at City Cast Philly
