Election Essentials: What to Know Before Voting in Pennsylvania

Posted by The News Pulse November 05, 2025 Post a Comment

Polls Have Officially Opened in Pennsylvania

Polls are now open across Pennsylvania, and Pittsburgh's Action News 4 is providing essential information for voters heading to the polls. Here’s what you need to know before casting your ballot.

Key Dates and Times

Polls Open: 7 a.m.
Polls Close: 8 p.m.

Make sure to plan accordingly and arrive early to avoid long lines.

Big Races in Western Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is set to vote on several important races, including the retention of three Supreme Court justices and the mayoral race in Pittsburgh.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices

Three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices—Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and Wecht—are running for retention as their 10-year terms come to an end. Voters will decide their fate on November 4.

The retention process was established during a constitutional convention in the 1960s. It combines partisan elections with a nonpartisan retention vote after 10 years. If any of these justices are not retained, a partisan election will be held in 2027 to replace them.

Political ads have been actively urging voters to either support or oppose the retention of these justices.

Pittsburgh's Mayoral Race

Corey O’Connor, a Democrat and current Allegheny County Controller, will face Tony Moreno, a Republican and retired police officer, in the mayoral race. Both candidates won their party’s tickets in May, and O’Connor defeated the current mayor, Ed Gainey, in the primary.

Who Are the Candidates?

Corey O’Connor

Corey O’Connor, 40, grew up in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood and currently lives in Point Breeze with his wife Katie and their two children. He attended Duquesne University, where he studied early childhood education. He worked for then-U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, handling community development.

In 2011, O’Connor was elected to Pittsburgh City Council, representing District 5. In 2022, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf nominated him to fill the vacancy in the Allegheny County Controller’s office when Chelsa Wagner left to serve as a judge. In November 2023, O’Connor was elected to a full term as the county controller and continues to serve in that role.

Tony Moreno

Tony Moreno, 56, of Brighton Heights, enlisted in the military after high school and served as an Army Airborne police officer. He later joined the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, where he served for 24 years. In 2021, Moreno ran for Pittsburgh mayor but lost to Gainey. He was the first Republican to announce his candidacy in the 2025 mayoral race.

What Should I Prepare?

If you are a first-time voter, Pennsylvania elections officials require proof of identification. You can use:

Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card
ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
ID issued by the U.S. Government
U.S. passport
U.S. Armed Forces ID
Student ID (including electronic/digital student ID)
Employee ID

If you do not have a photo ID, you can use one of the following as long as it includes your name and current address:

Confirmation issued by the county voter registration office
Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
Firearm permit
Current utility bill
Current bank statement
Paycheck
Government check

Bringing a form of ID is only required for the first time you appear to vote in a particular election district/polling place. Voters will not be required to show ID again unless they move and are assigned to a new polling place.

When & Where Can I Vote?

The 2025 municipal election will focus on local races such as borough council, city council, and township supervisors and commissioners, depending on where you live. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

You can find your polling place by visiting the state’s website: Find My Polling Place.

Problems at the Polls?

If you experience any issues at the polls, the Department of State urges voters to call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772). The problems listed by the state include:

If you suspect voting rules are being violated, report it to the Judge of Elections at your polling location.
If you need help voting or cannot use the voting system due to a disability, ask the poll workers about accessible voting options.
If you need help voting or using the voting system because of your ability to speak or read English, language support is available.
If a poll worker determines you are not eligible to vote on the county's voting system, you may ask to vote a provisional ballot.

Accessible Voting Systems

Every polling place in Pennsylvania must have at least one accessible voting system. This could be the general voting system used by all voters or a separate system with features like audio, tactile keys, and other assistive technology.

If you need help voting due to a disability, you can bring one person with you to assist in the voting process. However, certain individuals, such as a Judge of Elections, a union representative, or your employer, are not permitted to assist.

The first time you have someone help you vote, the election officials at your polling place will ask you to complete and sign a "Declaration of Need of Assistance." After the first time, your registration record will note that you completed the form.

You can learn more about accessible voting options by visiting the state’s website: Accessible Voting.

Additional Resources

Here are some links for more information on what to know before heading to the polls on November 4:

Read the Full Story

For more details, visit the full story: [Election Guide: What you should know before hitting the polls in Pennsylvania].

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