Axios Philly's cheat sheet for 2025 Primary Day

What's happening: Today's ballot includes primaries for district attorney and state and municipal judges, as well as a trio of ballot questions.

• Meanwhile, some candidates are running unopposed, as in the primaries for city controller.

Context: Primaries have an outsized role in Philly.

• In a deep-blue city where Democrats hold a significant registered voter advantage over Republicans, the winners of the Democratic primaries are typically the favorites to win in November.

⏰ Time: Polls are open from 7am-8pm.

• Voters new to their voting division must show identification, like a driver's license or current utility bill.

✉️ Voting by mail? Your ballot must be submitted at election offices or official drop boxes by 8pm today.

📍 Where: Find your polling place.

✋ Who: All Philly residents 18 and over and registered as Democrats or Republicans.

• Pennsylvania has closed primaries: Only registered party members can vote in their respective elections Tuesday.
• Yes, but: Independents can vote on the ballot questions.

✏️ Here are our Smart Brevity guides:

• Meet Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner
• Meet Philadelphia district attorney candidate Pat Dugan

‍⚖️ Pro tip: Visit Philadelphia Bar Association's website for its recommendations.

What to watch: Minor political parties — like the Libertarian Party — have until Aug. 1 to file paperwork to get on the November ballot.