About the 2018 General Election in Allegheny County

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRIMARY AND A GENERAL ELECTION?
In a primary election, voters who are members of a specific party vote for who will be on the ballot in the general election in November. Your primary election ballot will only list candidates who are running in your party (though you can write in other candidates). In some districts, the primary is the deciding election as there may be no opponents from another party running in the general election. In general elections, everyone can vote, no matter their party (or lack of party) affiliation. Whoever wins will hold office starting in January of the following year.

IS THIS ELECTION A GENERAL OR PRIMARY ELECTION?
The November 6, 2018 “midterm” (the middle of the U.S. President’s term) election is a general election. This election determines who will be in office starting in January 2019.

WHAT POSITIONS ARE WE VOTING FOR IN THE UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTION?
Each voter will get to vote for one candidate for each of the following offices:

United States Senator

United States Representative

Governor (and Lt. Governor) of Pennsylvania

State Senator (only in some State Senate districts)

State Representative

WHO’S ON MY BALLOT?
You can learn more about who will be on your ballot by going to the League of Women Voters nonpartisan voter information site vote411.org or by going to ballotready.org. You can also see your ballot at bit.ly/ACballot. Input your city name, ward number, and district number (see Where Is My Polling Place on About Voting).

Elected Positions and Responsibilities

FEDERAL

United States Senator
Term Length: 6 Years

Cabinet, Ambassadorial and Judicial Nominations:  The Senate holds the power to vet and approve all presidential Cabinet, Ambassador and federal and Supreme Court Judge appointments.
Treaties:  The Senate ratifies all presidentially negotiated treaties, and holds the power to amend treaties.
Laws: Senators are responsible for writing and passing federal law, including federal spending and taxes, and upholding or overriding presidential vetoes. Bills cannot become laws without approval from the Senate. The Senate also has the power to confirm judicial nominees and cabinet members.

United States Representative
Term Length: 2 Years

Laws:  Representatives are are responsible for writing and passing federal law, including federal spending and taxes, and upholding or overriding presidential vetoes. Bills cannot become laws without approval from the House.

STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA

Governor
Term Length: 4 Years

Chief Executive:  The governor is the state’s chief executive.
Veto:  The governor has power to veto bills passed by the PA Legislature subject to a two-thirds override
Pardons:  The governor may grant pardons of state law offenses except in cases of impeachment.
Appointed Positions: Appoints the secretaries of all the state’s departments and all offices not otherwise provided for, subject to the two-thirds consent of the Senate. These appointed secretaries, including the Secretary of the Department of Human Services, are responsible for guiding and overseeing the management of programs and services. The governor and these secretaries can make many decisions that direct how programs are carried out. They also decide whether to opt into or out of federal policies that can improve or reduce access to services, like expanding Medicaid.
Special Sessions:  Can convene the Senate and the House by special proclamation for purposes of transacting executive business.

Lieutenant Governor
Term Length: 4 Years

President of the Senate:  The lieut. governor takes over as governor if the governor becomes unable to complete their term. In the meantime, the lieut. governor serves as President of the Senate. In the event of a tie in the state Senate, they have the ability to cast a tie-breaking vote. While they cannot vote on or sponsor legislation, they can work with advocates in the Senate to introduce legislation on their behalf.

State Senator
Term Length: 4 Years

Laws:  State senators pass bills on public policy matters, set levels for state spending, raise and lower state taxes and vote to uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. They can choose to pass bills that make decisions about certain state requirements for federal programs like SNAP, Medicaid, etc.  Bills can originate in either chamber of the General Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives), but must pass both. The Senate also has the power to confirm the governor’s appointed secretaries.

State Representative
Term Length:  2 Years

Laws:  State representatives pass bills on public policy matters, set levels for state spending, raise and lower state taxes, and vote to uphold or override the governor’s vetoes. They can choose to pass bills that make decisions about certain state requirements for federal programs like SNAP, Medicaid, etc.  Bills can originate in either chamber of the General Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives), but must pass both.

Every voter can write in the name of the candidate of their choice for each of these seats on their ballot if they don’t want to vote for the candidates listed on the ballot.

About the Federal and Pennsylvania Legislatures

Republicans have held the majority in both chambers of Congress since 2015, and both chambers of the PA General Assembly since 2011.