2026 Elections
The 2026 Primary will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
◈ If you are interested in being a candidate for a party precinct committeeman or committeewoman for either the Democratic or Republican parties, you will file for office with Mercer County Elections.
◈ ALL OTHER OFFICES FILE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE: Running for Office | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Candidates for Precinct Committee Positions
If you want to run to be a precinct committeeman or committeewoman for either the Democratic or Republican Party, you can download the candidate petition form and the instructions below. The petition form is fillable—please complete the fillable parts of the form before printing.
Also, clearly note your voting precinct (e.g., Hermitage NW-1 or Pine-2) and if you are running to be a Precinct Committeeman or Precinct Committeewoman (they are separate offices).
The 2026 petition circulation and filing period will run from Tuesday, February 19, 2026 to Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Petitions can be filed at the election office—130 N. Pitt St, Suite B, Mercer—between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The office will be open until 4:30 pm on March 10th, the last day for filing.
Important 2026 Election Dates
The key dates for the primary election are listed below. Remember that you may not circulate petitions to collect signatures before February 17, 2026. The last day to file your petitions with our office is March 10, 2026.
| Key Election Activities |
Date |
Statute |
|---|---|---|
| First day to circulate Nomination Petitions |
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 2868 |
| Last day to circulate Nomination Petitions |
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 2868 |
| First Day to circulate Nomination Papers |
Wednesday, March 12, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 2913 |
| Last Day to Object to Nomination Petitions |
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 2937 |
| Ballot Position Lottery |
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 2875 |
| Last Day for Candidates who filed Nomination Papers to withdraw |
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 2874 |
| Last Day To Register To Vote Or Change Party Affiliation |
Monday, May 4, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 3071 |
| Last Day To Request Mail-In/Absentee Ballot |
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 3150.12a |
| ELECTION DAY |
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 2753 |
| Deadline to submit unofficial election returns to DOS |
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 3154 |
| Deadline to request a recount and recanvass |
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 3154 |
| Write-in Results Available |
Friday, May 29, 2026 |
|
| Hold Casting of Lots for any Tie Votes from Primary Nominations |
Friday, June 5, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 2883 |
| Deadline to certify the election to the State and Hold Second Signing |
Monday, June 8, 2026 |
25 P.S. § 2642 |