Its the time of year where the leaves are just starting to change and fall while yard signs are starting to bloom as if a parody of spring.

Dates and Voting Links

The last day to register to vote in the election is October 24th. Youth that turn 18 by Election Day are eligible to register to vote. You can register to vote online here.

The last day to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot is November 1st. You can apply online here. Sooner is better, as the mail is unreliable. The first mail-in ballots should be mailed to voters somewhere near the beginning of October. Mail-in ballots can be mailed back, returned to the county BoE office in Media or dropped in a drop box. You can find drop box locations here. Nether Providence’s is at Furness Library, Rose Valley’s is at the Hedgerow Theatre and Swarthmore’s is at the borough hall. Mail in ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.

Election Day is November 8th from 7 am until 8 pm. The township’s list of precincts should be up to date. You can check your voter registration status and your precinct here.

Elections 2022

On the ballot this year in Nether Providence is US Senate, 5th District US Representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor and 161st District State Representative. I am not aware of any ballot initiatives. Over in Swarthmore there are races for both 26th State Senate District and 165th State Representative. Swarthmore was moved from the 161st to the 165th in redistricting.

US Senate

Current PA Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman (D) and Mehmet Oz (R) are among up to 8 candidates running for the seat that Sen. Toomey is retiring from. They have agreed to a single debate on October 25th. WHYY had a rundown of the candidates before the primary, which included Fetterman and Oz. 538 currently has Fetterman leading by almost 10 points.

5th District US Representative

Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D) is running for re-election in the slightly expanded 5th district. She will be the favorite to win against David Galluch (R) and Robert Margus (L) in this heavily Democratic district.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D) is running against Doug Mastriano (R) and three others to replace the termed out Gov. Tom Wolf as Governor of Pennsylvania. Spotlight PA has a fantastic run down on this race and WHYY has another great one. The last I read, the candidates have been unable to agree to debate terms. 538 also has Shapiro leading by almost 10 points.

The major party candidates for Lieutenant Governor are state Rep. Austin Davis (D) and state Rep. Carrie DelRosso (R).

161st District State Representative

The redrawn 161st has shifted to become an even more competitive district than before. Rep. Leanne Krueger (D) is running for re-election against Ed Mongelluzzo (R).