The balance of power in the state Legislature and Congress are at stake this November, but first Lehigh Valley voters head to the polls today to choose their party’s candidates for state and federal House.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Pennsylvania is a closed primary state, which means only Republicans and Democrats can vote in their respective party’s primary. In Hanover Township, Lehigh County, any registered voter may cast a vote in a referendum that would update the township charter regarding contracts.

Here’s what you need to know about voting today.

Who’s on the ballot?

At the top of the ticket is the widely watched Democratic primary for the Lehigh Valley’s representative Congress.

Former Bethlehem firefighter Bob Brooks, former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell, former Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure and Carol Obando-Derstine, a former PPL executive and engineer, all are vying for the chance to face Republican Ryan Mackenzie in the fall. Mackenzie is unopposed in the Republican primary.

While every seat in the state House is up for election this year, most are uncontested in the primary election, meaning there is only one Democrat and one Republican running for their respective party’s nomination.

Two local state House seats and one state Senate seat, however, have contested Democratic primaries.

In the 16th state Senate district, Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley and Bradley Merkl-Gump, a social studies teacher and Pennridge School Board member, are vying for a chance to face Republican incumbent Jarrett Coleman in November. Coleman is unopposed in his party’s primary.

In the 22nd state House district, Democrats Ana Tiburcio, the sitting representative who won a special election for the seat in February, and Allentown City Council member Ce-Ce Gerlach are vying for a full term in the seat representing parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township. Republican Robert Smith Jr. is unopposed.

In the 187th District, Democrats Rachel Marie Guynh-Cuevas, who describes herself as a working mom and community leader, and Geoffrey Whitcomb, a local pastor and music teacher, are seeking the nomination to represent Heidelberg, Lower Macungie, Lynn, Washington and Weisenberg townships; part of Upper Macungie Township; Alburtis and Macungie.

The seat is held by Republican Gary Day, who is running unopposed in his party’s primary.

Lehigh Valley Republicans have just one primary race to decide: that for lieutenant governor. Pittsburgh attorney Jason Richey, who has the backing of Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity, faces UPS executive John Ventre.

Who can vote Tuesday?

Except for referendum voters, who can be any party (or no party at all), Tuesday’s primaries are only open to registered Democrats and Republicans. If you are not registered with either party, you cannot vote for candidates until November. It is too late to change your registration, but if you’re unsure, check your registration status at vote.pa.gov before heading to the polls.

Where can I vote?

Northampton County recently implemented a countywide redistricting plan, approved by the Common Pleas court. That means many residents may see new or expanded polling districts.

Northampton County residents can check their polling place at NorthamptonVotes.com.

In Lehigh County, check your polling place at lehighcounty.org/Departments/Voter-Registration/Polling-Places.

Do I need to show ID at the polls?

Only if you are voting at a polling location for the first time. Otherwise, identification is not required to vote in Pennsylvania.

Still have a mail ballot to drop off?

If you haven’t yet dropped off your mail ballot, your only option Tuesday is to take it to a drop box location. Ballots must be received by the time polls close at 8 p.m.; postmarks do not count.

In Northampton County, ballot boxes are available at:

• Washington Township Municipal Building (interior hallway), 1021 Washington Blvd. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• East Allen Township Municipal Building (main lobby), 5344 Nor Bath Blvd. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• NCC Fowler Family Southside Center (main lobby), 511 E. Third St., Bethlehem. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Northampton County Courthouse (rotunda), 669 Washington St., Easton. 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Northampton County Human Services Building (main entrance vestibule), 2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem Township. 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Northampton County 911 Center (main entrance vestibule), 100 Gracedale Ave., Upper Nazareth Township. Open until 8 p.m.

• Bethlehem City Hall (main lobby), 10 E. Church St. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In Lehigh County, boxes can be found at:

• Whitehall Township Municipal Building, 3219 MacArthur Road. 8 a.m.to 4 p.m.

• Lehigh County Authority (lobby), 1053 Spruce Road, Lower Macungie Township. 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

• Fountain Hill Borough Building, 941 Long St. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Lehigh County Government Center (main entrance), 17 S. Seventh St., Allentown. Open until 8 p.m.

• Macungie Borough Building, 21 Locust St. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Ballots must be signed, dated and inserted into included security envelopes before being placed in the return envelopes.

Voters must drop off their own mail ballots unless a certification has been signed giving that task to someone else due to disability or another reason.

I received a mail ballot but want to vote in person. Can I?

Yes. Bring the mail ballot — including all envelopes — to your polling place. You will be allowed to vote in person.

I applied for a mail ballot but didn’t receive it. What do I do?

Go to your polling place. You will be given a provisional ballot to vote.

I was affected by the Lehigh County mail ballot error. What do I do?

Lehigh County has identified about 4,000 voters who were affected by an error in mail ballot processing — due to human error, the 2025 list of primary voters was used instead of this year’s list.

The county was sending new ballots to voters, but if you didn’t receive one or are unsure you have the correct ballot, head to your polling place to vote. Bring the mail ballot you do have if you received one.

County election officials said the mistake could extend the vote count Tuesday.

What’s a provisional ballot and who gets one?

Provisional ballots are given to voters when their eligibility to vote can’t immediately be determined, such as when your name isn’t in the poll book, or you cannot show identification when required to.

Voters who completed an absentee or mail-in ballot that was rejected also can complete a provisional ballot at the polls.

Provisional ballots are counted within seven days after an election, once voter eligibility is determined.