City, county, school board races top primary ballot

On Tuesday, voters in Pennsylvania will have the chance to shape much of their city and county governments, school boards and judges’ chambers in the 2019 municipal primary elections.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Since Pennsylvania runs a closed primary, voters can cast ballots in only the races affiliated with their registered party — except in special elections for the U.S. House and the state Legislature.

In the City of Pittsburgh, five City Council seats are up for election — four of which (Districts 1, 3, 7 and 9) are contested. Only Democrats are officially registered as candidates, so the candidates who win will find themselves in uncontested races heading into November’s general election. Four seats on the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors are also on the ballot.

In Allegheny County at large, voters will cast primary ballots in races for district attorney, County Council and Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Throughout the county, various Magisterial District Court, local municipal government and local school board seats are on the ballot.

Statewide, Tuesday’s election will determine the nominees for two vacant seats on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.

Numerous special elections have been pinned to primary day. In central Pennsylvania, Democrat Marc Friedenberg and Republican Fred Keller are facing off for the state’s 12th Congressional District, left vacant when Tom Marino resigned earlier this year. In Butler County, voters will choose between Democrat Sam Doctor and Republican Marci Mustello for the state’s 11th House District.

Interested voters should visit the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website, https://www.dos.pa.gov/ Pages/default.aspx, for answers to questions about voter registration, polling place location and how to cast a ballot.

County offices under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch — except for the elections division and court records — will be closed Tuesday. Additionally, County Council and the treasurer’s office will be closed.

The North and South Park golf courses will be open dawn to dusk. County park administration offices and the Hartwood Acres Mansion will be closed.

The courts, district attorney’s office, controller’s office and sheriff’s office will be open during regular business hours.