(WHTM) – Nearly 70% of Pennsylvania voters who requested an absentee or mail ballot have returned them ahead of Tuesday’s primary.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, there were 853,871 mail and absentee ballots approved for the May 19 primary.

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As of 8 a.m. on May 18, there have been 594,447 ballots returned to county boards of election.

Ballots must be returned to a county board of elections by 8 p.m. on May 19 for it to count in the primary election. Those who still have a mail ballot in their possession are not recommended to place it in the mailbox and instead hand-deliver it to a county-approved drop box or election office.

2026 Primary Daily Mail Ballot Report (4)Download

Pennsylvania’s primary elections are considered “closed,” meaning Republicans will receive a ballot with only Republican candidates, and Democrats will receive a ballot with only Democratic candidates.

This means Independents and third-party voters can not participate in Tuesday’s primary unless there is a special election or ballot measure. Voters in the 196th House District in York County will have a special election to fill the seat of former State Rep. Seth Grove, who resigned earlier this year amid conflict-of-interest concerns.

Statewide, the primary races for governor are set with Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R) running unopposed. There is a competitive primary for Lt. Governor on the Republican side, with Garrity’s endorsed running mate, Jason Richey, running against John Ventre.

Several congressional districts also have competitive primaries this spring; the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, and 12th Districts have Democratic primaries, and the 17th District has a competitive Republican primary.

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