Your guide to Pittsburgh's 2026 primary
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Primary Election Day is nearly here.
Why it matters: There aren't any marquee races this spring, but the decisions Tuesday could shape what is set to be an important midterm election in the fall.
Context: Pennsylvania's primaries are mostly major party affairs, where Democrats and Republicans pick their nominees for the general election.
Zoom in: WESA, TribLive, and Public Source all have comprehensive voter guides breaking down nearly every race in the region, so we're just going to highlight the most contentious and consequential.
- Republican lieutenant governor: Two Western Pennsylvania Republicans are vying for the lieutenant governor nomination: lawyer Jason Richey, of Sewickley Heights, and retired business executive John Ventre, of Hempfield. Richey received the GOP endorsement.
- Dem state House District 45: The district of suburbs like Robinson and Carnegie just west of the city has two Democrats — Allegheny Council President Pat Catena and lawyer Brittany Bloam — vying to replace outgoing Rep. Anita Kulik (D-Kennedy). The race has garnered attention over anti-transgender mailers Catena sent out attacking Bloam.
- GOP state Senate District 43: The Washington and Greene Counties district is pitting incumbent Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Monongahela) against businessman Al Buchtan. The race has been dominated by attack ads on TV, mostly claiming the other doesn't support President Trump enough.
Zoom out: Both governor primaries are unopposed. Gov. Josh Shapiro on the Democratic ballot and Treasurer Stacy Garrity on the Republican one.
Pro tip: Don't send your mail-in ballot via the postal service this close to Election Day; it won't arrive in time.
- Drop it off at one of 10 ballot return stations on Monday between 11am-7pm, or only at Downtown's County Office Building (Ross Street entrance) on Tuesday between 7am-8pm.
- You can only return your own mail-in ballot.
Check your polling place here.
What's next: Polls open Tuesday at 7am and close at 8pm.