MIDTERMS
What is on the ballot on Nov. 3rd??
In Pennsylvania, regularly scheduled elections are held every 6 months. Primaries are in the spring, the general election is in November. On even years, the elections are called either the Presidential or Midterms (as this election is midway through a presidential term). Odd numbered years are called “off year” or sometimes “municipal elections”.
For example:
2024 was a "presidential" election
2025 was an "off year" election
2026 is a "midterm" election
2027 will be an "off year" election
Below is a list of what will be on your PA ballot this November 3rd. Positions may vary depending on where you live – for example, half of the PA Senators are up for election this year, which means yours may or may not be.
In addition to elected positions, sometimes ballots will have referendums. The best way to know what is on your ballot and to check for referendums is to check what is on your ballot ahead of time.
To learn more about what is on your specific ballot,
click the purple button to the right. For additional resources, check your county's voter services page.
US Representative
A US Representative (also known as Congressman or Congresswoman) is elected and serves in the US House of Representatives, which is one chamber of the two that make up Congress
(the other is the Senate). Representatives are elected by defined geographical areas called congressional districts. There are 435 Representatives in the US House.
A Representative has several key responsibilities; introduce, debate and vote on federal bills, direct services to their constituents (the people they represent) to help navigate federal agencies, pass a budget (including expenditures and creation of revenue through taxes), and impeach federal officials.
Every two years elections are held for Representatives – these elections occur on even years.
A Representative is elected for a two-year term, and Representatives are up for re-election every two years. There are no term limits, and the two longest serving Representatives
(as of August 2026) have been in office for 46 years.
PA Governor
The Governor of PA is elected and serves as the chief executive officer (think President but for the state) and oversees state operations through their cabinet.
Governor’s are elected for four-year terms and have a consecutive two term limit.
The Governor is responsible for signing or vetoing bills passed by the
General Assembly (state House and Senate) - vetoes can be overridden by a 2/3rd majority vote in both chambers, preparing a budget (expenses and revenues of state funds) for the General Assembly’s consideration, control of the state police and PA National Guard, appointments to state agencies, and emergency declarations
(to help manage disaster responses across the state).
PA Lieutenant Governor
The PA Lt. Governor is an elected official that is the second highest executive official. As with the governor, they can be elected for up to two consecutive four-year terms and are elected on even years.
They preside over the Senate and cast a vote if there is a tie, are the chair of the Board of Pardons, and are first in the line of succession if the governor dies, resigns, or becomes incapacitated. They can also lead policy initiatives, task forces, and other issue based engagement.
PA Senator
PA Senators are elected to serve in the PA Senate for a four year term and are elected on even years. There are no term limits for Senators – the current longest serving Senator has served for 32 years as of August 2026. They represent a larger geographic region (district) than PA Representatives,
and there are 50 members in the Senate.
Responsibilities include drafting and passing legislation (that also needs to be voted on by the House and signed by the Governor to become law), voting on a state budget, confirming gubernatorial appointments, and representing their district. Constituent services include supporting constituents with state agency issues and hosting community events such as town halls, shredding events, and more.
PA Representative
PA Representatives are elected and serve in the state House of Representatives (the House) representing a specific geographic area (called their district). The House is one of two chambers of the General Assembly, the second being the Senate. Representatives serve two-year terms, and all are up for re-election every two years.
The longest serving Representative has served 34 years as of August 2026.
There are 203 Representatives in the PA House.
Their responsibilities include; writing and passing bills (which then get passed by the Senate and signed by the governor), shaping the budget by passing fiscal code and tax law, and constituent services which can include supporting constituents with state agency issues and hosting community events such as town halls, shredding events, and more.