🗳️ It’s Election Day. Let’s vote.

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“By voting, citizens are participating in the democratic process. Citizens vote for leaders to represent them and their ideas, and the leaders support the citizens’ interests.”

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Top Story

1. Court Races Headline Statewide Primary Ballots

“Party nominees for four statewide judicial posts, including one on the Supreme Court, will be settled in Tuesday’s primary election in Pennsylvania.

Democrats currently hold a 4-2 majority on the state’s highest court, which is playing a prominent role in settling disputes over voting rights, abortion rights and gun rights in the presidential battleground state.” (AP)

Related

5 Things To Watch In Today’s PA Primary. “Pennsylvania is hosting primaries, including picking the likely next mayor of the nation’s sixth-largest city, Philadelphia. National figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have gotten involved in the race in hopes of securing another progressive mayoral win. A special election for a Pennsylvania state House seat could shift the balance of the state’s legislature’s lower chamber.” (POLITICO)

A Bernie Sanders Progressive Could Be Next Leader Of One Of America’s Largest Counties. “Sara Innamorato, a progressive running with an economic, social, and racial justice agenda, is leading the race for Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County executive.” (The Nation)

Federal Suit Over PA Voter Rolls Settled. Voting rights advocates and conservative activist group Judicial Watch, Inc. agreed to a dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the foundation to force three Pennsylvania counties to remove thousands of voters from the rolls ahead of the 2020 election. (PoliticsPA)

State

2. HD-108: The Other Special Election

Hidden behind the large shadow cast behind the Delaware County special election in the 163rd state House District resides the 108th District.

The humble 108th – Montour County and part of Northumberland. Sixty-five thousand strong with a special election that could also tilt the balance of power in the state House.

Ah, not likely though. (PoliticsPA)

Related

PA House Control Up For Grabs Yet Again In Special Elections. “Democrats’ narrow majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is on the line Tuesday with two special elections that will determine which party controls the chamber.” (AP)

Biden Endorses Boyd In HD-163. In Pennsylvania’s special election for the 163rd House District seat, the endorsements don’t get much bigger than the 46th President of the United States. (PoliticsPA)

Delaware County Focus Of State Politics, Even National Attention. “Delaware County has a knack for finding itself in the political spotlight and this primary election proves to be no different, as two women square off in a special election that has garnered even the attention of President Joe Biden.” (Delco Times)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Didn’t Know It Was Election Day? Then You Don’t Know These PA Election Facts

“Voters who cast mail-in ballots or who will enter polling places Tuesday to participate in the 2023 municipal primary election will be part of a select group.

That’s because primary election participation in the United States is consistently lower than general election turnout, especially for local races.

It can seem like a real oddity considering these elections — for things like mayor, city council, county commissioners and school board members — truly affect your day-to-day life.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Related

What You Need To Know About The Philadelphia Mayoral Primary. “After nine months of campaigning, dozens of events, and more than $30 million spent, the race to win the Democratic nomination for Philadelphia mayor is still wide open heading into today’s election.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

• Philadelphia Democratic Mayoral Primary Pits Moderates Against Progressives. (Philadelphia Tribune)

The Gossip We Didn’t Tell You About. “After nine months and well over $31 million spent, the election that will effectively decide who will be Philadelphia’s 100th mayor has finally arrived.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Our 2023 PA Primary Guide. “It’s an especially consequential election season in Allegheny County, with six Democrats and one Republican in the first wide open campaign for county executive in more than a decade.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Contests Portend Change In The Air In Allegheny County. “They’re called “off-year elections,” but as voters in Allegheny County head to the polls today, almost everything is on the table.” (WESA)

A Cheat Sheet to 2023 Primary Day. “If you’re still undecided or don’t know who’s running, we’re here to help.” (Axios Philadelphia)

• The PoliticsPA Election Guide. (PoliticsPA)
• Election 2023: County Commissioner Primaries. (PoliticsPA)
• Here’s A Quick Look At The Decisions You Face At The Polls. (PennLive)
• Here’s What You Need To Know In Bucks County. (Bucks County Courier-Times)
• Details On Races, Candidates, Issues In Western PA. (Tribune-Review)
• It’s Election Day In Beaver And Lawrence Counties. Here’s What To Know. (Beaver County Times)
• Five Things To Know. (Times-Tribune)
• Last-Minute Lehigh Valley Voter’s Guide (Morning Call)
• Blair Primary Could Be Most Expensive. (Altoona Mirror)
• Voters’ Guide To The Primary In Lancaster County. (LNP)
• Erie County Voters’ Guide (Times-News)
• Competitive Commissioner Races Add Intrigue In Washington, Greene Counties  (Observer-Reporter)

Will We Know Who Wins Philly’s Mayoral Race On Election Day? “The head of the Philadelphia City Commissioners is not promising a mayoral primary winner will be determined before midnight on Election Day.” (WHYY)

How To Up Your (Primary) Election Day Game. “It’s Primary Election Day 2023! One of the best civic days this year, and a time for Philly to shine.” (Philadelphia Citizen)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

A glance around the Keystone State at editorials and opinions.

Editorial

• County Executives Have Major Influence – Vote Accordingly. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Even In A Primary Election, You Have To Show Up And Make Your Voice Count. (Tribune-Review)
  This Year’s Election Is Important – Vote. (Williamsport Sun-Gazette)

Opinion

• Your Mayoral Pick Probably Won’t Win. Now What? (Helen Ubiñas)
• Is Biden Too Old? Is Trump? Are You? (Michael Hiltzik)
• The Next Frontier For Tech Jobs Is In Agriculture. (Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade)
• Ranked Choice Voting Encourages Chaos And Undermines Democracy. (Guy Ciarrocchi)

1 Thing

5. World’s Oldest Dog Turns 31

A dog from Portugal who became the world’s oldest dog earlier this year has turned 31 years old.

Bobi celebrated his birthday over the weekend after reaching 31 last week, according to a Guinness World Records news release.

Bobi is a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed known for protecting livestock, according to the American Kennel Club. Rafeiro do Alentejo dogs have an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. His owner says the key to Bobi’s longevity has been the “calm, peaceful environment” he lives in. (CBS News)

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