СŷƵ and Pennsylvania voters in 2025 will decide who leads school boards, municipal and county governments, and state courts.
First, Democratic and Republican voters must choose their respective party’s nominees in the May 20 primary election.
Here’s what you need to know about voting in the primary election.
Who’s on the ballot?
Dozens of offices are on the ballot in both Lehigh and Northampton counties. Perhaps the most hotly contested races are among candidates for СŷƵ school boards. Among the most crowded races are those in East Penn (seven candidates for four seats); Northampton Area (eight candidates for three seats); Parkland (six candidates, four seats); Southern Lehigh (eight candidates, four seats), and Saucon Valley (seven candidates, four seats).
Candidates in those crowded races say they’re primarily focused on fiscal discipline, rather than national political issues that have roiled past elections.
For Lehigh County executive, Republicans will chose between former Allentown police Chief and council member Roger MacLean, and former Allentown School Board member Mike Welsh. who met recently in a cordial debate. The winner will face Democratic state Rep. Josh Siegel, who is unopposed in his party’s primary.
In the Northampton County executive race, two Democrats — county Controller Tara Zrinski and business owner Amy Cozze — seek the party’s nomination. Republican Thomas Giovanni also is seeking the post; he is unopposed in the primary.
In Allentown, incumbent Mayor Matt Tuerk faces a Democratic primary challenge from City Council member Ed Zucal, and seven candidates — three incumbents and four newcomers — are seeking seats on City Council.
Bethlehem Mayor J. Williams Reynolds also faces a challenge in the Democratic primary, from councilmember Grace Crampsie Smith. In the Bethlehem City Council race, seven candidates have filed to run for four seats.
In municipal races, both Democratic and Republican voters in Lower Saucon Township will have candidates to choose for two open seats on council. Longtime Republican incumbents Thomas Carocci and Jason Banonis have not filed for re-election; five Republicans and three Democrats are vying for those spaces.
There are also important statewide judicial races on the ballot, including retention races that could decide the political balance of the state Supreme Court.
Election 2025: Here are the Lehigh County candidates on the May 20 primary ballot
Election 2025: Here are the Northampton County candidates on the May 20 primary ballot
When is Election Day?
The primary election will be held Tuesday, May 20. The general election is Nov. 4.
Who can vote in the Pennsylvania primary?
Pennsylvania has a closed primary, which means only Republicans and Democrats can vote for candidates in their respective primaries.
All registered voters, however, regardless of party, can vote in the . There are three Democratic state Supreme Court judges up for 10-year retention.
All registered voters also can vote if there is a special ballot question.
What are the deadlines?
If you want to vote in the primary election, you can register or make changes to your registration by May 5.
The last day to register for the general election is Oct. 20.
Applications for mail-in or absentee ballots are due by May 13 for the primary election, and Oct. 28 for the general election.
How do I register?
You are eligible to vote if you are:
- A U.S. citizen for at least 30 days before the election
- A resident of Pennsylvania and your election district for at least 30 days before the election
- At least 18 years of age on the day of the election.
To register, visit . You also can fill out and mail in a paper application, available at government offices, libraries and post offices, or register in person at your county election office.
How can I check my registration?
The answer to this and other questions about voting can be found on
Can I vote early?
Pennsylvania does not have early voting, but it does allow voters to apply for, fill out and turn in mail ballots in a single trip to a county elections office.
Northampton County launched so-called “ballot on demand” voting April 21. Voters can visit voter registration offices from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through May 13. Ballot-on-demand voting will end at 5 p.m. May 13, which is the deadline to apply for a mail or absentee ballot.
Lehigh County will begin offering ballot-on-demand voting Monday, April 28.
Completed mail ballots must be received by the county elections office by 8 p.m. May 20.
Where can I vote?
If voting in person, you can find your polling place by visiting
Mail ballots can be dropped off at the county board of elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Both Northampton and Lehigh counties also will have drop boxes set up at locations throughout the counties.
In Northampton County, completed ballots can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Washington Township Municipal Building (Interior Hallway), 1021 Washington Blvd., Bangor. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.
- East Allen Township Municipal Building (Main Lobby), 5344 Nor Bath Blvd., Northampton. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- NCC Fowler Family Southside Center (Main Lobby), 511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Closes at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Northampton County Courthouse (Rotunda), 669 Washington St., Easton. 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Closes at 8 p.m. Election Day.
- Northampton County Human Services Building (Main Entrance Vestibule), 2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Closes at 7 p.m. on Election Day.
- Northampton County 911 Center (Main Entrance Vestibule), 100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth. Open 24 hours; will close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Bethlehem City Hall (Main Lobby), 10 E. Church St. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Election Day.
Lehigh County has not yet announced its drop-off locations for the primary.
Make sure you follow all directions printed on the mail ballot, and only drop off your ballot.
