This civics column was initiated by the publisher and owner of the SCOOP USA Media Newspapers, Sherri Darden. The purpose is to try and use this column as a classroom of sorts in print, to educate and inform our amazing readers about civics subjects, what being a good citizen means, and reviewing some of the many laws for our nation that help to guide our Democracy.
Of utmost importance is the upcoming Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Primary Election in Pennsylvania. While the Pennsylvania Primary is taking place on April 23rd this year, five other states are holding their Primary elections on April 2nd. They are Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. Nevada is holding its Primary on February 9th, and Michigan is holding its Primary election on February 27th.
What’s at stake in Pennsylvania? During the Primary election, voters in Pennsylvania can select a Presidential nominee from the Republican Party or the Democratic party, who will face off during the November General Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Whoever wins the general election in November–for example, will be sworn in as the next President of the United States in January 2025.
Every single political office that is up for grabs is very important. However, you can’t get higher than the President of the United States. Who do you want to be in charge of our nation for four years, starting in 2025? That’s a major decision that must be made.
There are also all the other important elected positions that need to be filled. Three state executive offices are up for election in Pennsylvania in 2024: Attorney General, Auditor General, and Treasurer. Thus far, the names being mentioned for the Attorney General on the Democratic side are Keir Bradford-Grey, Eugene DePasquale, Joe Khan, Jared Solomon, and Jack Stollsteimer. Republican candidates for Attorney General in Pennsylvania are Katayoun Copeland, Dave Sunday, and Craig Williams. For Auditor General Malcolm Kenyatta has his name on the list on the Democratic side, and on the Republican side, Timothy Defoor, the incumbent says he’s running for reelection.
All State Representatives have to run for reelection this year, and people who would want to win their seats will be running against them. Pennsylvania state senators in odd-numbered districts have to run for reelection this year, and all U.S. Senators and U.S. Congresspersons are running for election. U.S. Senators hold office for six-year terms. U.S. Congressmen hold office for only two-year terms.
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party’s candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are elections that take place prior to a general election. Pennsylvania utilizes a closed primary process. Voters are required to register with a political party to vote in the primary election.
To register to vote in Pennsylvania, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next election, a resident of the district in which he or she is registering for at least 30 days before the next election, and at least 18 years old by the day of the next election. The deadline for registering to vote is 15 days before the election. Registration can be done online, in person, or by mail. Prospective voters can register in person at the county voter registration office or a number of state agencies, including the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation centers. The Pennsylvania voter registration application is available online and can be mailed to the county voter registration office.
In next week’s column, we’ll share information about what Philadelphia offices will be up for grabs this election cycle.
Meanwhile, congratulations to Philadelphia City Commissioner Omar Sabir for being elected Chairman of the three City Commissioners. They oversee all Philadelphia elections, which is a very important job to get done. If you need information about voting in Philadelphia, call Commissioner Sabir’s office at 215-686-3462 or log onto the Commissioners web site at www.vote.phila.gov.
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Thank you for reading Thera Martin’s Civics 101 article on scoopusamedia.com. To additional articles of interest, please subscribe to Scoop USA Media. Print subscriptions are $75.00 and online subscriptions (Print, Digital and Vizion) are $90. (52 weeks/1 year)
