FAQ Elections

Go to the Public Office Election Year Lists page for documents listing the years that Federal and State Officials and County (County, Municipal and School District) Officials are on the ballot.

The first step for a candidate seeking election is the collection of signatures on nominating petitions. The number of signatures necessary to qualify, is determined by the office. The Number of petitions required can be found HERE on the Lehigh County government site, along with other listed nomination requirements.

Petition signing runs from mid-February through early March. (See each year’s election calendar published by Lehigh County for the specific dates).

Voter participation in this important first step helps to ensure our Democratic Candidates will be on the primary ballot. Look for announcements of Candidate Petition Signing Events and be aware that candidates may come to your door to collect signatures.

Specific rules must be followed in filling out nomination petitions. See Signing Candidates’ Petitons for more information.

Some offices permit cross-filing between parties for inclusion on the primary ballot. If you are asked to sign a candidate’s petition, ask about their party registration. Sign only petitions for Registered Democrats. More information about how cross-filing works can on this page — What is Cross Filing and what is the impact on the Primary Election? and How can I vote to benefit registered Democrats running for a seat with cross-filed candidates? 

Judicial elections occur in odd-numbered years. Justices and judges may serve an unlimited number of terms until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75 and are retained or re-elected by the voters. However, retired judges may, if approved by the PA Supreme Court, continue to serve the Commonwealth as senior judges on a temporary basis. Vacancies that exist before an election may be filled by gubernatorial appointment until an election is held. These selections are subject to Senate confirmation.

APPELLATE COURT JUDGES — State Superior, Commonwealth and Supreme Court and trial court judges serving on the Courts of Common Pleas serve ten year terms. Candidates for Court of Common Pleas are permitted to cross-file in a primary election in order to appear on the ballots of both parties.

MERIT RETENTION — The Merit Retention provision of Pennsylvania’s constitution allows all but magisterial district judges to be retained with a simple “yes” or “no” vote without ballot reference to political affiliation. This provision was designed to remove judges from the pressures of the political arena once they begin their first term of office. Democratic Judges on the ballot for merit retention are listed on the current election page found under the Election tab. (If a judge’s name is not listed, they are not a registered Democrat.)

MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUSTICES run in competitive elections, their party affiliation is referenced. Mandatory retirement age for judges is 75 years, but retired judges may, if approved by the Supreme Court, continue to serve the Commonwealth as senior judges. Magisterial judges serve six year terms. Candidates for Magisterial District Judge are permitted to cross-file in a primary election in order to appear on the ballots of both parties.

Cross-filing occurs when a candidate runs in the primary election of not only his/her own party, but also that of another party. Only the candidates for School Board, Magisterial District Justice, and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas may cross file. Candidates for all other elected positions can only appear on the primary ballot of his/her party.

When you vote in the primary, you will be given a ballot with all of the candidates running for the various municipal offices. For those positions in which cross-filing is permitted, you will see the name of the person, but their party affiliation will not be indicated. The ballot will indicate the number of open seats in that position.

For example, the Judge Court of Common Pleas and District Justice has one open seat, the Ballot will instruct you to vote for one person. The School Board may have four open seats, the ballot will instruct you to vote for no more than four people. (Note that you are NOT REQUIRED to vote for four –see information in the next paragraph.)

The candidates who win the highest number of votes wins that party’s primary (whether they are a registered Democrat or a cross-filed Republican). In the case of four open seats, the candidates who obtain the first, second, third, and fourth highest number of votes wins that party’s primary. FOR THIS REASON WE RECOMMEND YOU VOTE ONLY FOR CANDIDATES WHO ARE REGISTERED DEMOCRATS. This will help ensure that your votes are not increasing the total number of votes obtained by cross-filed Republicans appearing on the Democratic Ballot.

The successful candidate(s) will appear on the ballot for the November municipal election as the candidate for the party whose primary nomination the candidate won. If a candidate wins both the Republican and Democratic primary, he or she runs unopposed in the general election.

To determine which cross-filed candidates in Lehigh County are REGISTERED DEMOCRATS, please refer to the Current Election Link under the LCDC Election Tab

The candidates who win the highest number of votes win that party’s primary. In the case of four open seats, the candidates who obtain the first, second, third, and fourth highest number of votes wins that party’s primary. FOR THIS REASON WE RECOMMEND YOU VOTE ONLY FOR CANDIDATES WHO ARE REGISTERED DEMOCRATS. This will help ensure that your votes are not increasing the total number of votes obtained by cross-filed Republicans appearing on the Democratic Ballot.

To determine which cross-filed candidates in Lehigh County are REGISTERED DEMOCRATS, please refer to the Current Election Link under the LCDC Election Tab

YES. A person may run for an office that has two different terms — a two year and a four year term. It is treated as running for different offices. The voter will see the candidate’s name on the ballot twice — once for each office. The voter may vote for the same person for each term. If the candidate wins both seats in the general election, the candidate chooses which seat he/she wants and the municipality fills the vacant office by appointment.