Pittsburgh, Allegheny County 2021 Primary Election Guide

PITTSBURGH, PA — Tuesday is Primary Election day across Pennsylvania. In Pittsburgh, Mayor Bill Peduto is facing his most significant challenge in years from state Rep. Ed Gainey and others.

Gainey , retired city police officer Tom Moreno and college math tutor Michael Thompson are attempting to thwart Peduto's effort for a third term. They are running against him in the de facto mayoral election in a city that hasn't had a Republican mayor since the 1930s.

Three proposed constitutional amendments, will appear on the ballot:

• Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration—and the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration—through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval?

• Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency, unless the General Assembly takes action to extend the disaster emergency; the governor may not declare a new disaster emergency to respond to the dangers facing the Commonwealth unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management?

• Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity?

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To see a sample ballot in your community, click here.