(WHTM) \u2013 Nearly 70% of Pennsylvania voters who requested an absentee or mail ballot have returned them ahead of Tuesday\u2019s primary.<\/p>\n
According to the Pennsylvania Department of State<\/a>, there were 853,871 mail and absentee ballots approved for the May 19 primary.<\/p>\n Close<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Watch for us in your inbox.<\/p>\n Subscribe Now<\/p>\n As of 8 a.m. on May 18, there have been 594,447 ballots returned to county boards of election.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2026 Primary Daily Mail Ballot Report (4)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s primary elections are considered \u201cclosed,\u201d meaning Republicans will receive a ballot with only Republican candidates, and Democrats will receive a ballot with only Democratic candidates.<\/p>\n This means Independents and third-party voters can not participate in Tuesday\u2019s primary unless there is a special election or ballot measure. Voters in the 196th House District in York County will have a special election<\/a> to fill the seat of former State Rep. Seth Grove, who resigned earlier this year amid conflict-of-interest concerns.<\/p>\n Statewide, the primary races for governor<\/a> 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\u2019s endorsed running mate, Jason Richey,<\/a> running against John Ventre.<\/p>\n Several congressional districts also have competitive primaries this spring; the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th<\/a>, and 12th Districts have Democratic primaries, and the 17th District has a competitive Republican primary.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n