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4.  WHAT POSITIONS ARE ON THE BALLOT THIS ELECTION?
    
 
​YOUR ADDRESS determines what positions you see on your ballot, so your ballot may not have every single position showing. For example:
  • PA State Senators serve 4 year terms, and your Senator may not be up for reelection until 2024. 
  • But everyone will see Representative in the General Assembly (AKA State Representative) candidates because these positions serve 2 year terms and appear on every “even year” ballot. 
 
​FOR DEMOCRATS ONLY:
What are “Committeepersons” on this Primary’s ballot?
Committeepersons are the Democratic Party’s feet on the ground. Each of the County’s 230 precincts has two CP positions. Committeepersons are elected every 4 years at the same time as the gubernatorial primary. Their duties include:
• Keeping track of news from County Party (CCDC) and the relevant Democratic Zone (there are 20)
• Encouraging your registered Democrat neighbors to vote
• Giving registered Democrats appropriate information about each upcoming election
• Attending zone meetings and helping plan and carry out strategies for the Party’s success
• Helping to greet and inform voters at the polls on election days.
 ​
What is “Democratic State Committee” (PADSC) on this Primary’s ballot?

The Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee (PADSC) is the governing body of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. PADSC members are elected to four-year terms during the Primary election at the same time of the year as the gubernatorial primary. They meet in full three times each year to elect party leadership, hold statewide candidate endorsement conventions, pass and promote a party platform, elect members of the DNC, act as a liaison between state and county communication, and help lead organizing efforts across the commonwealth. 
  • State Committee, like precinct committee, is held during the primary of the gubernatorial election cycle. Chester County currently has 8 members, 4 men and 4 women, but due to the growth of the Democratic registration in the county, this year we will elect 5 women and 5 men.
  • You may vote for up to 10 candidates for PADSC on this Primary ballot. The 5 candidates with the most votes for women and the most votes for men will win a seat. ​


The following table describes the positions that will be on the ballot in 2022:

Position

What They Do

Why Should I Care?

US Senator

 

·         Member of the co-equal Legislative Branch of the USA

·         Sponsors and votes on new laws

·         Confirms the President’s appointees

·         Provides advice and consent to ratify treaties and confirms judicial and other presidential nominees

●     Each state gets 2 Senators, so each has enormous power over what laws get passed

●     Some legislation requires 60 Senate votes to pass, so when the majority of Senators is of the same Party as the President, it’s easier to pass critically needed new laws

US Congressperson

●     Member of the co-equal Legislative Branch of the United States of America

●     Makes new Laws or modifies existing ones

●     In charge of the Federal Budget (taxes, borrowing, spending)

●     Has Oversight authority of the Executive Branch

●     Can Impeach federal officials who break the law or their oath of office

●     Elects the President in the case of an Electoral College tie

 

●     Creates and votes on bills (laws) that are important to my life (regarding Healthcare, Civil Rights, Immigration, Social Services, Family and Medical Leave, etc.)

●     Helps me access Federal program assistance such as Covid 19 relief, Social Security or Veteran’s benefits

●     Can subpoena and share critical information with the public so I know what’s going on

 

PA Governor

●     Implements laws and manages operations in the state

●     Declares State of Emergency

●     Commands the State’s National Guard

●     Has Veto power over bad legislation (such as dropping gun licensing requirements)

●     Appoints the Secretary of State, a position that runs PA’s election process

PA Lieutenant Governor

●     President of the State Senate

●     Chairs the state Board of Pardons

●     Chairs the state Emergency Counsel

●     Reviews all pleas for criminal pardons in the state

●     Establishes policy for managing emergencies in PA

PA State Senator

●     Works with the State House of Representatives to create and pass bills (laws) on Public Policy matters in PA

●     Sets levels for PA spending

●     Raises and lowers PA taxes

●     Can uphold or override a Veto on legislation signed by the Governor

●     Writes or amends laws that impact my family and community, such as:

○     Vote by mail

○     Rules for police conduct within the Commonwealth

●     Provides funding for public services such as Firefighters, Emergency Medical services, public schools, and Covid 19 grant relief

●        Protects Pennsylvania’s environment (water, air) 

PA State House Representative

●     Works with the State Senate to create and pass bills (laws) on Public Policy matters that represent local concerns of constituents

●        Educates and helps constituents access State programs available to them

●     Helps me access VA benefits, addiction treatment, housing, and mental health services

●     Educates and advocates for public health and safety issues that impact my neighborhood, such as the Mariner East pipeline

●        Assists with my application for licenses to do business in PA

PA Supreme Court Judge

·         Highest Court in PA

·         Chooses which appeals to hear from the Commonwealth and Superior courts

·         Can choose to hear cases of “immediate public importance” from the lower courts

 

·         In 2018, this court struck down gerrymandered voting districts. It ordered a new, fairly drawn congressional map.

·         This court decided against a Republican lawsuit asking to throw out 2.5 million Pennsylvania mail-in ballots in the 2020 election.

 

Back to "Get Ready for the Upcoming Election!"
  • Welcome
  • Resources
  • Step it Up!
  • 2023 Elections
  • GET INVOLVED IN CCMF!
    • Voter Outreach
    • Social Media
    • Content Development
    • R.A.C.E. Group
    • Social Justice
    • #OurVoiceShouldBeHeard
  • Contact Us