What you need to know to vote in Tuesday's PA primary
MERCER, Pa. - No matter if you are a Republican, Democrat, or independent, there is something on the ballot for every registered voter in Mercer County in Tuesday’s Primary Election. The Municipal Primary Election will be held in the ninety voting districts of Mercer County on May 18, 2021.
In addition to state and local partisan candidates, there are local and statewide ballot questions.
Mercer County has primary ballots for Democrats, Republicans, and for voters not affiliated with any party.
Democrats and Republicans can vote in all state, county, school district, and municipal contests.
All voters, including those unaffiliated, can vote on the constitutional amendments.
Unaffiliated voters in Deer Creek, French Creek, Mill Creek, New Lebanon, Sandy Creek, and Wolf Creek may also vote on a Small Games of Chance proposal.
The polls will be open from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
Follow this link to find your polling location
Follow this link to find what is on your ballot.
If you submitted a Federal Post Card Application, you must affirm that you mailed your ballot no later than 11:59 pm on May 17, 2021 and the County Election Office must receive your ballot no later than May 25, 2021 by 5 pm.
Regular mail-in and absentee ballots submitted by voters must be received by the Board of Elections by 8:00 PM on May 18th.
Mercer County 2021 Municipal Primary Election
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (On partisan and non-partisan ballots)
Proposed Constitutional Amendment Relating to the Termination or Extension of Disaster Emergency Declarations
Ballot Question:
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration—and the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration— through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval?
Yes No
Joint Resolution No. 2021-1 proposes to amend Article III, Section 9 of the Pennsylvania Constitution to provide a new exception to traditional legislative procedure by allowing the General Assembly to terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration or a portion of such declaration without needing the Governor’s approval.
Currently, Article III, Section 9 establishes a general rule that all orders, resolutions or votes requiring approval by both the House of Representatives and Senate must be presented to the Governor for his approval or veto.
Resolutions for the adjournment of the General Assembly are exempted from this process. If the order, resolution or vote is approved by the Governor, it becomes law. If the Governor vetoes the resolution, it does not become law unless two-thirds of the House and Senate vote to override the veto.
The proposed amendment would create an additional exception to this customary legislative procedure for concurrent resolutions to terminate or extend, in whole or in part, a disaster emergency declaration issued by the Governor.
The proposed amendment will also have the effect of reversing a recent ruling of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court which held the Pennsylvania Constitution prohibited the General Assembly from passing a concurrent resolution to terminate the Governor’s Covid-19 disaster emergency declaration without presenting it to the Governor for his approval.
It will change the law to allow the General Assembly to terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration through a concurrent resolution approved by only a majority of the members of the House and Senate, without having to present the resolution to the Governor for his approval or veto.
The proposed amendment is limited in that it only changes the traditional legislative process for terminating or extending disaster emergency declarations issued by the Governor.
The amendment will not alter the current legislative procedure with respect to which orders, resolutions or votes of the General Assembly must be presented to the Governor for his approval on any other subject matter.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment Relating to Disaster Emergency Declaration and Management
Ballot Question:
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency, unless the General Assembly takes action to extend the disaster emergency; the Governor may not declare a new disaster emergency to respond to the dangers facing the Commonwealth unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management?
Yes No
Joint Resolution No 2021-1: Disaster Emergency Declaration and Management Joint Resolution No. 2021-1 proposes adding a new section to Article IV of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
This amendment incorporates disaster emergency declaration and management powers directly into the Constitution by:
- Granting the Governor authority to declare a disaster emergency declaration by proclamation or executive order;
- Requiring each declaration to indicate the nature, location and type of disaster;
- Granting the General Assembly authority to pass laws providing for the manner in which each disaster shall be managed;
- Limiting the duration of a Governor’s declaration to 21 days, unless otherwise extended, in whole or in part, by a concurrent resolution of the General Assembly;
- Preventing the Governor, upon the expiration of a declaration, from issuing a new declaration based upon the same or substantially similar facts, unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution expressly approving a new declaration.
Currently, disaster emergency declaration and management powers are delegated by statute to the Governor.
The Governor has the sole authority to issue and manage all disaster emergency declarations, which cannot extend beyond 90 days unless renewed by the Governor. The General Assembly may override a Governor’s disaster emergency declaration by concurrent resolution that must be presented to the Governor for his approval or veto.
If approved, the amendment would transfer certain of the Governor’s existing authority to respond to and manage disaster emergencies to the General Assembly. The Governor would retain the authority to issue an initial disaster emergency declaration, but the declaration’s permissible length would be reduced from 90 to 21 days.
The sole authority to extend a declaration would lie with the General Assembly; presently, this power rests with the Governor. Upon expiration of the initial declaration, the amendment prohibits the Governor from issuing a new declaration based upon the same or substantially similar facts without the approval of the General Assembly.
The Governor would no longer have unilateral authority to manage disasters but would have to do so consistent with the laws passed by the General Assembly.
If approved, the General Assembly would be required to pass new laws establishing the manner in which each type of disaster shall be managed.
If added to the Pennsylvania Constitution, the proposed amendment cannot be modified or repealed except by a judicial decision finding all or part of the proposed amendment unconstitutional or by the approval of a subsequent constitutional amendment.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment Relating to Prohibiting the Denial of Rights Because of Race or Ethnicity
Ballot Question:
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual's race or ethnicity?
Yes No
Joint Resolution No 2021-1: Prohibition Against Denial or Abridgment of Equality of Rights Because of Race and Ethnicity Joint Resolution No. 2021-1, if approved by the electorate, will add a new section to Article I of the Pennsylvania Constitution. This amendment creates a constitutional prohibition against restricting or denying an individual’s equal rights under Pennsylvania law because of race or ethnicity.
Generally, inclusion of this amendment within the Pennsylvania Constitution signifies that freedom from discrimination based on race or ethnicity is an essential principle of liberty and free government.
This amendment applies to all Pennsylvania state, county and local governmental entities, and guarantees equality of rights under the law. The amendment, if enacted, will become a part of the Pennsylvania Constitution. As such, its provisions must be applied consistent with the other provisions of the Constitution.
This equal right to be free from racial or ethnic discrimination will exist independent from any such rights under the United States Constitution or corresponding federal law. If the current federal protections proscribing racial or ethnic discrimination are abolished, the prohibition against such discrimination will remain in the Pennsylvania Constitution.
The amendment is limited in that it creates a right only under Pennsylvania law.
Once added to the Pennsylvania Constitution, the right to be free from racial or ethnic discrimination under the law cannot be eliminated except by a judicial decision finding the amendment unconstitutional or the approval of a subsequent constitutional amendment. If approved, the General Assembly may pass new laws to implement the amendment, but it may not pass a law inconsistent with it.
Statewide Referendum – Act 2020-91, Making Municipal Fire and Emergency Medical Services Companies Eligible for Loans
Do you favor expanding the use of the indebtedness authorized under the referendum for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads under 35 PA.C.S. §7378.1 (related to referendum for additional indebtedness) to include loans to municipal fire departments or companies that provide services through paid personnel and emergency medical services companies for the purpose of establishing and modernizing facilities to house apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the fire companies and emergency medical services companies?
Statewide Referendum – Act 2020-91, Making Municipal Fire and Emergency Medical Services Companies Eligible for Loans
The purpose of the ballot question is to determine whether Pennsylvania voters authorize making municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies eligible to apply for loans from an already existing state loan program.
Pennsylvania voters approved the incurring of indebtedness of up to $100,000,000 in four previous statewide referenda: $10,000,000 on November 4, 1975; $15,000,000 on November 3, 1981; $25,000,000 on November 6, 1990; and $50,000,000 on November 5, 2002. Originally, this indebtedness funded a loan program for volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads.
Currently, municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies are not authorized to apply for loans from this program.
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has determined that municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies are most in need of loans to replace outmoded or unsafe equipment and buildings to meet the increased demands for a higher level of service in the communities they serve. If approved, the referendum will allow municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies to apply for loans from the program, consistent with the existing law and regulations.
The Office of the State Fire Commissioner administers the loan program and has promulgated regulations to govern the loan application process. Upon successful application, the Office authorizes loans for the purposes and in amounts specified by the Emergency Management Service Code and the Office’s regulations.
These loans may be used for establishing or modernizing facilities to house firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles. They may also be used for the purchase of new firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of these organizations’ duties.
This referendum does not authorize incurring any additional debt to fund the loan program; it only expands the class of eligible loan applicants. It also does not expand the purposes for which loans may be made; municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies may only apply for the type of loans already provided for by law and regulations.
Small Games of Chance
Six Townships and Boroughs are having votes as to whether these jurisdictions will allow licenses to be issued to conduct small games of chance. If you live in one of these six jurisdictions, you can vote on these items.
This issue is for voters in Deer Creek, French Creek, Mill Creek, New Lebanon, Sandy Creek, and Wolf Creek.
The Local Option Small Games of Chance Act authorizes the licensing of various clubs, nonprofit and charitable organizations to conduct small games of chance (e.g., daily drawings, weekly drawings, 50/50 drawings, and raffles). A “Yes” vote means small games of chance will be permitted in the individual community.
Mercer County Municipal Primary Election
DEMOCRAT PARTY CANDIDATES (contested races)
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Judge of the Superior Court, 10-year term, Vote for 1
DEMOCRAT JILL BECK ALLEGHENY
DEMOCRAT TIMIKA LANE PHILADELPHIA
DEMOCRAT BRYAN NEFT ALLEGHENY
Judge of the Commonwealth Court, 10-year term, Vote for 2
DEMOCRAT DAVID LEE SPURGEON ALLEGHENY
DEMOCRAT LORI A DUMAS PHILADELPHIA
DEMOCRAT SIERRA STREET PHILADELPHIA
DEMOCRAT AMANDA GREEN HAWKINS ALLEGHENY
County of Mercer
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 10-year term, Vote for 1
DEMOCRAT MICHAEL A JOANOW HERMITAGE
DEMOCRAT WILLIAM G MCCONNELL JR HERMITAGE
DEMOCRAT D NEIL MCEWEN PINE TWP
Magisterial District Judges
District 35-2-01, 6-year term, Vote for 1 (City of Sharon; Sharpsville Borough)
DEMOCRAT JOHN D ALFREDO
DEMOCRAT TRAVIS P MARTWINSKI
District 35-3-02, 6-year term, Vote for 1 (Deer Creek Township; French Creek Township; Grove City Borough; Jackson Center Borough; Jackson Township; Lake Township; Liberty Township; Mill Creek Township; New Lebanon Borough; New Vernon Township; Pine Township; Sandy Lake Borough; Sandy Lake Township; Stoneboro Borough; Wolf Creek Township; Worth Township)
DEMOCRAT DEAN E OSBORNE
DEMOCRAT DOUGLAS B GERWICK
DEMOCRAT DOUGLAS E STRAUB
School Districts
Commodore Perry School Director
Deer Creek Township, Sandy Creek Township, and Sheakleyville Borough, 4-year term, Vote for 1
DEMOCRAT HEIDI GRINNELL
DEMOCRAT JUSTIN ZAKER
Grove City School Director, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 4 (Grove City Borough, Liberty Township, Pine Township, Springfield Township, Wolf Creek Township)
DEMOCRAT PATTY WILSON
DEMOCRAT MICHELLE L AMODEI
DEMOCRAT AUGIE HURST
DEMOCRAT RANDY ARNOLD
DEMOCRAT JEFFREY TEDFORD
Hermitage School Director, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 4 (City of Hermitage)
DEMOCRAT MATT RISTVEY
DEMOCRAT TIMOTHY KIZAK
DEMOCRAT STEVEN HAND
DEMOCRAT MELANIE L FERGUSON
DEMOCRAT JOSEPH WHITE
DEMOCRAT ANDREW J BUCCI
Lakeview School Director (Fairview Township, Jackson Center Borough, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Mill Creek Township, New Lebanon Borough, New Vernon Township, Sandy Lake Borough, Sandy Lake Township, Stoneboro Borough, Worth Township)
Mercer School Director
Mercer Borough, 4-year term, Vote for 1
DEMOCRAT STEVEN VANWOERT
DEMOCRAT MATTHEW F HAZI
Sharpsville School Director (Clark, Sharpsville, South Pymatuning)
4-year term, Vote for not more than 4
DEMOCRAT JOSEPH ANDREW SIMKO
DEMOCRAT MIKE GARCIA
DEMOCRAT JANICE L RAYKIE
DEMOCRAT JUSTIN ANGERMEIER
DEMOCRAT ROSEMARY FERGUSON
DEMOCRAT TABITHA SMITH
DEMOCRAT RONALD BARNES
DEMOCRAT MICHAEL A LENZI
Crawford Central School Director, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 4, French Creek Township
DEMOCRAT JAN FELEPPA
DEMOCRAT HOLLY CHATMAN
DEMOCRAT ELYSE PALMER
DEMOCRAT BENJAMIN BARGAR
DEMOCRAT RYAN PICKERING
Wilmington School Director, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 4, Wilmington Township
DEMOCRAT DAVID DEROSA
DEMOCRAT KIRSTAN TERVO
DEMOCRAT BROC JOHNSON
DEMOCRAT SCOTT BRUSH
DEMOCRAT LYNN FOLTZ
DEMOCRAT DIANA CAIAZZA
DEMOCRAT JOSEPH LIPO
DEMOCRAT NICOLE COX
Municipalities
City of Farrell
Council, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 4
DEMOCRAT ROBERT T BURICH
DEMOCRAT ANDREW HARKULICH
DEMOCRAT LYNDA MOSS-MCDOUGALL
DEMOCRAT ANNETTE HULLEY MORRISON
DEMOCRAT MICHAEL L WRIGHT
DEMOCRAT CARMINAL G CRAIG
DEMOCRAT PATRICE L LEE
DEMOCRAT CLIFF GREGORY
City of Hermitage
Commissioner, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 3, (Third-place gets 2-year term)
DEMOCRAT LOUIS E SQUATRITO, JR
DEMOCRAT BRIAN J SKIBO
DEMOCRAT LUCY NICASTRO
DEMOCRAT MICHAEL T MUHA
Judge of Elections, 4-year term, Vote for 1
DEMOCRAT VAN D HOAGLAND (HERMITAGE SW-2 PRECINCT, 15-08)
DEMOCRAT EDWARD I ROBICH (HERMITAGE SW-3 PRECINCT, 15-09)
City of Sharon
Council, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 3 (Third-place gets 2-year term)
DEMOCRAT WILLIAM BILL JAMES
DEMOCRAT TERESA BOATWRIGHT
DEMOCRAT DAVID R KOERTH
DEMOCRAT CHRISTOPHER A FORD
DEMOCRAT MARQUIS LAMPKINS
DEMOCRAT TAYLOR GALASKA
Judge of Elections, 4-year term, Vote for 1
DEMOCRAT GRACE KECK (SHARON 35-21 PRECINCT)
DEMOCRAT DEANN ZIMMER MCCLOSKEY (SHARON 35-22 PRECINCT)
DEMOCRAT DARLENE R UTTERBACK (SHARON 35-43 PRECINCT)
Inspector of Elections, 4-year term, Vote for 1
DEMOCRAT BARBARA A STABILE (SHARON 35-24 PRECINCT)
DEMOCRAT ELEANOR V TALBERT (SHARON 35-41 PRECINCT)
Sharpsville Borough
Tax Collector, 4-year term, Vote for 1
DEMOCRAT ROBIN JAMES-BESHERO
DEMOCRAT TRACY ONEILL
DEMOCRAT CONNIE FRYMAN
West Salem Township
Judge of Elections, 4-year term, Vote for 1
DEMOCRAT STEPHEN L HOSMER (WEST SALEM EAST 44-01 PRECINCT)
Inspector of Elections, 4-year term, Vote for 1
DEMOCRAT SONDRA J HARTER (WEST SALEM EAST 44-01 PRECINCT)
DEMOCRAT CAROL J HOSMER (WEST SALEM EAST 44-01 PRECINCT)
DEMOCRAT FRANCES J WILKIN (WEST SALEM WEST 44-02 PRECINCT)
REPUBLICAN PARTY BALLOT (contested races)
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Justice of the Supreme Court, 10-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN PAULA PATRICK PHILADELPHIA
REPUBLICAN KEVIN BROBSON DAUPHIN
REPUBLICAN PATRICIA A MCCULLOUGH ALLEGHENY
County of Mercer
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 10-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN WILLIAM G MCCONNELL JR HERMITAGE
REPUBLICAN D NEIL MCEWEN PINE TWP
REPUBLICAN MICHAEL A JOANOW HERMITAGE
Magisterial District Judges
District 35-2-01, 6-year term, Vote for 1 (City of Sharon; Sharpsville Borough)
REPUBLICAN TRAVIS P MARTWINSKI
REPUBLICAN JOHN D ALFREDO
District 35-3-02, 6-year term, Vote for 1 (Deer Creek Township; French Creek Township; Grove City Borough; Jackson Center Borough; Jackson Township; Lake Township; Liberty Township; Mill Creek Township; New Lebanon Borough; New Vernon Township; Pine Township; Sandy Lake Borough; Sandy Lake Township; Stoneboro Borough; Wolf Creek Township; Worth Township)
REPUBLICAN DOUGLAS B GERWICK
REPUBLICAN DEAN E OSBORNE
REPUBLICAN DOUGLAS E STRAUB
School Districts
Commodore Perry School Director
Deer Creek Township, Sandy Creek Township, and Sheakleyville Borough, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN HEIDI GRINNELL
REPUBLICAN JUSTIN ZAKER
Grove City School Director, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 4 (Grove City Borough, Liberty Township, Pine Township, Springfield Township, Wolf Creek Township)
REPUBLICAN PATTY WILSON
REPUBLICAN JEFFREY TEDFORD
REPUBLICAN MICHELLE L AMODEI
REPUBLICAN RANDY ARNOLD
REPUBLICAN AUGIE HURST
Hermitage School Director, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 4 (City of Hermitage)
REPUBLICAN JOSEPH WHITE
REPUBLICAN ANDREW J BUCCI
REPUBLICAN MELANIE L FERGUSON
REPUBLICAN STEVEN HAND
REPUBLICAN TIMOTHY KIZAK
REPUBLICAN MATT RISTVEY
Mercer School Director
Mercer Borough, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN MATTHEW F HAZI
REPUBLICAN STEVEN VANWOERT
Delaware Township and Fredonia Borough, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN JASON DEJULIA
REPUBLICAN JEFFREY A COLSON
Sharpsville School Director (Clark, Sharpsville, South Pymatuning)
4-year term, Vote for not more than 4
REPUBLICAN MICHAEL A LENZI
REPUBLICAN TABITHA SMITH
REPUBLICAN MIKE GARCIA
REPUBLICAN ROSEMARY FERGUSON
REPUBLICAN JOSEPH ANDREW SIMKO
REPUBLICAN JUSTIN ANGERMEIER
REPUBLICAN JANICE L RAYKIE
REPUBLICAN BILL HENWOOD
REPUBLICAN RONALD BARNES
Crawford Central School Director, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 4, French Creek Township
REPUBLICAN ELYSE PALMER
REPUBLICAN HOLLY CHATMAN
REPUBLICAN RYAN PICKERING
REPUBLICAN JAN FELEPPA
REPUBLICAN BENJAMIN BARGAR
Wilmington School Director, 4-year term, Vote for not more than 4, Wilmington Township
REPUBLICAN LYNN FOLTZ
REPUBLICAN KIRSTAN TERVO
REPUBLICAN NICOLE COX
REPUBLICAN DIANA CAIAZZA
REPUBLICAN SCOTT BRUSH
REPUBLICAN JOSEPH LIPO
REPUBLICAN DAVID DEROSA
REPUBLICAN BROC JOHNSON
Municipalities
Coolspring Township
Supervisor, 6-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN MARK SKIDMORE
REPUBLICAN CORWIN L MASSON
East Lackawannock Township
Tax Collector, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN JEAN A DOUGLAS
REPUBLICAN MARY CAMPBELL
City of Hermitage
Inspector of Elections, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN GORDON F HARBISON (HERMITAGE NE-1 PRECINCT, 15-05)
REPUBLICAN KATHERINE A MONDAK (HERMITAGE NE-1 PRECINCT, 15-05)
Jackson Township
Supervisor, 6-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN ROBERT W PIZOR
REPUBLICAN JERRY HECKMAN
Jamestown Borough
Inspector of Elections, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN BETTY A LEBARRON
REPUBLICAN CAROL G BISH
Lackawannock Township
Supervisor, 6-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN THOMAS JOE DUNLAP
REPUBLICAN DICK SCHULLER
Liberty Township
Tax Collector, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN STARLA LINDEY
REPUBLICAN BRENDA L SNIDER
Mill Creek Township
Tax Collector, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN DORIS FISHER
REPUBLICAN DEBRA L HEFFERN
Perry Township
Inspector of Elections, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN TAMAR ELLEN RESEIGH
REPUBLICAN REBEKAH S COCHRAN
Pine Township
Supervisor, 6-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN PAULA RENNINGER
REPUBLICAN JEANINE L THOMPSON
Tax Collector, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN BETH MATTOCKS
REPUBLICAN CRYSTAL ENSMINGER
Inspector of Elections, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN CHRISTINE HENDERSON (PINE 1 PRECINCT)
REPUBLICAN BETSY A BULFONE (PINE 2 PRECINCT)
Shenango Township
Supervisor, 6-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN EARL A BUTTERFIELD SR
REPUBLICAN DALE PERRY
Sugar Grove Township
Supervisor, 6-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN MATT SHEPARD
REPUBLICAN MARK A AUBEL
Inspector of Elections, 4-year term, Vote for 1
REPUBLICAN LORI SHEPARD
REPUBLICAN BONNIE FIRLE
