The political arena in Western Pennsylvania will change again on Tuesday as voters head to the polls on Election Day to shape some of Allegheny County’s most influential positions.
How to vote
Voting is no hassle; trust us at the PUP.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and, as always, if you’re in line at 8 p.m. to vote, you will be allowed to do it.
You can check your voter registration status here: Check Your Voter Registration Status (pa.gov).
You can then find your polling place by plugging your address into this tool: Polling Place Information (pa.gov). Here is a full list of polling places if you’d rather not type in your address: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/uploadedFiles/Allegheny_Home/Dept-Content/Elections/Docs/November%202023%20General%20Polling%20Place%20Master%20List.xlsx
Before you go, you might want to take a look at a sample ballot to make sure you’re prepared. Do that here: Sample Ballots | Elections | Allegheny County. We also recommend this detailed video from Allegheny County about what to expect at the polls: What to Expect on Election Day.
At this point, if you want to vote by mail, the deadline has passed to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot for this election. But if you’ve already got one in hand and haven’t yet returned it, you need to get it to Allegheny County by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
According to the county, as of late last week, about 90,000 mail-in ballots had been successfully returned for this election — about 71,000 of them by registered Democrats. The county approved 141,000 mail-in ballot applications.
What’s on your ballot (countywide)
Allegheny County executive
The candidates: Democrat Sara Innamorato, Republican Joe Rockey.
Term length: Four years.
In their own words:
Innamorato, of Pittsburgh — “Abortion is on the ballot. Affordable housing is on the ballot. Our democracy is on the ballot. The union way of life is on the ballot. Democrats know that our future is on the ballot this Tuesday, and we’re mobilizing our movement to get out the vote across Allegheny County!” (Sara Innamorato on X)
Rocky, of Ohio Township — “My life’s journey has been about facing difficult challenges and turning them into concrete solutions that work for people. As County Executive, I want to create a vibrant economy with abundant jobs so families will have better lives and brighter futures.” (Meet Joe Rockey)
Allegheny County district attorney
The candidates: Democrat Matt Dugan, Republican Steve Zappala.
Term length: Four years.
In their own words:
Dugan, of Moon — “I’ve devoted my career to ensuring the most marginalized members of our community have access to fair and just outcomes in the courtroom. That’s not always made me the most popular person in the room, especially in a society that desperately wants to create a narrative of good vs. evil in the criminal justice system. The truth is the system doesn’t work that way. And, here in Allegheny County, the system isn’t working at all.” (Home | Dugan For DA)
Zappala, of Pittsburgh — “As District Attorney, I am the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the county and am responsible for seeking justice on a daily basis for the citizens of this county. In addition, I am also charged with protecting the rights of our society and the individuals who make up that society. To that end, I am extremely proud of the staff of attorneys and support personnel who have been brought together to carry out what is oftentimes a broad and complex mission.” (Re-Elect Stephen A. Zappala, Jr.)
Allegheny County controller
The candidates: Democrat Corey O’Connor, Republican Bob Howard.
Term length: Four years.
In their own words:
O’Connor, of Pittsburgh — “I’m running for Controller because Allegheny County has given me so much and I want to give back. I love the neighborhoods where I grew up and their deep sense of community. I learned a lot about service from my neighbors: They’re the type of people who help folks they’ve never met because it’s the right thing to do. Every day, they strengthen our community.” (Corey O’Connor for County Controller – It’s Our Future (coreyoconnorpa.com))
Howard, of Marshall — “I think I am positioned where I will be an independent watchdog,” he said. “I don’t have a political career in mind, I am not from a political family. I am not from the establishment. I will be able to audit and say what needs to be said.” (Bob Howard secures Republican nomination for Allegheny County Controller | TribLIVE.com)
Allegheny County treasurer
The candidates: Democrat Erica Rocchi Brusselars, Republican Herb Ohliger.
Term length: Four years.
In their own words:
Rocchi Brusselars, of Pittsburgh — “I’m very excited to move forward on this vision for transparency, modernization and collaboration for our county.” (O’Connor, Brusselars win Allegheny County controller, treasurer races | 90.5 WESA)
Ohliger, of Carnegie — “I plan on a new era of openness and transparency in the Treasurer’s Office. Providing more information to the general public on what the office actually does and how we interact with the public.” (Allegheny County treasurer election guide: Brusselars v. Ohliger | 90.5 WESA)
Commonwealth Court judge
The candidates: Democrat Matt Wolf, Republican Megan Martin.
Term length: 10 years.
In their own words:
Wolf, of Philadelphia — “As a soldier and as a Judge, I vowed to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I promise to honor my lifelong oaths of protecting all Pennsylvanians in the Commonwealth Court.” (Judge Matt Wolf for Commonwealth Court)
Martin, of Mechanicsburg — “I will bring nearly 30 years of unmatched, comprehensive and truly one-of-a-kind experience in government law and process to the Commonwealth Court. The depth and breadth of my experience in government is what most qualifies me to serve on our Commonwealth Court, which court only hears government cases.” (Megan Martin Runs for Commonwealth Court | The Legal Intelligencer (law.com))
Court of Common Pleas judge
The candidates: Democrat Patrick Sweeney, Republican Anthony DeLuca.
Term length: 10 years.
In their own words:
Sweeney, of Pittsburgh — “The Job of a Public Defender is to, ‘speak for the voiceless, and bring justice to the dispossessed.’ The job of a judge is to ensure those voices are heard. That is why I am running to be our next judge.” (Patrick Sweeney for Judge)
DeLuca, of Pittsburgh — “My hope is that by understanding the stresses and burdens of those involved in the system, I may fashion, through programs and my rulings, decisions that consider those needs and concerns and further the goal of justice for all.” (Anthony Deluca – Dedicated to Justice (deluca4judge.com))
Superior Court judge
Pick two.
The candidates: Democrat Timika Lane of Philadelphia, Democrat Jill Beck of Pittsburgh, Republican Harry Smail Jr. of Greensburg, Republican Maria Battista of Emlenton.
Term length: 10 years.
Supreme Court justice
The candidates: Democrat Daniel McCaffery of Philadelphia, Republican Carolyn Carluccio of Blue Bell.
Term length: 10 years.
What’s on your ballot (municipality dependent)
Allegheny County Council
At-large (countywide, select two): Democrat Bethany Hallam of Pittsburgh, Republican Sam DeMarco of Oakdale.
District 2: Democrat Todd Hamer of Sewickley, Republican Suzanne Filiaggi of Pittsburgh.
District 5: Democrat Dan Grzybek of Bethel Park, Republican Mike Embrescia of Pittsburgh.
District 6: Democrat John Palmiere of Pittsburgh, Republican Sean McGrath of Pittsburgh.
District 7: Democrat Nick Futules of Oakmont.
District 10: Democrat DeWitt Walton of Pittsburgh, independent Carl Redwood of Pittsburgh.
District 11: Democrat Paul Klein of Pittsburgh, Republican Eileen Lo Cunningham of Homestead, United We Stand Party’s Robert McCune of Pittsburgh.
District 13: Democrat David Bonaroti of Pittsburgh, independent Sam Schmidt of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh City controller
The candidates: Democrat Rachael Heisler.
Term length: Four years.
Pittsburgh City Council
District 1: Democrat Bobby Wilson.
District 3: Democrat Bob Charland.
District 5: Democrat Barb Warwick.
District 7: Democrat Deb Gross, independent James Miller.
District 9: Democrat Khari Mosley.
Julian is the Western Pennsylvania politics and government bureau chief at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike.