Preparing for the Primary

The Municipal Primary will be held on Tuesday, May 16. During a Primary Election, voters decide which candidates will represent their respective parties on the ballot for the General Election in November.

In Pennsylvania, Primary Elections are closed, meaning only registered members of a political party can participate in voting for their party’s candidates. The Democratic and Republican parties will be holding primaries in Berks County this year. Any third-party or independent voters will only be able to vote if ballot questions or constitutional amendments appear on their precinct’s ballot.

All registered voters can vote in the General Election on Nov. 7, 2023.

Important Dates for the 2023 Municipal Primary:

Last day to register to vote: May 1 Register to vote at www.vote.pa.gov/register.

Last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot: May 9 Apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot at www.vote.pa.gov/ apply-mail-in. All mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by the Berks County Office of Election Services by 8 p.m. on Election Day, May 16, to be counted.

Election Day: May 16

Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m

Find your polling place at www.vote.pa.gov/polls.

On the Ballot

The following positions are up for election this year: Justice of the Supreme Court Judge of the Superior Court Judge of the Commonwealth Court Judge of the Court of Common Pleas

County Commissioners

County Controller

Recorder of Deeds

Register of Wills

Sheriff

Clerk of Courts

District Attorney

County Treasurer

Magisterial District Judges in select districts

Mayor, City of Reading

Auditor, City of Reading

City Council President

City Council Members in select districts

School Directors

Township Commissioners, in first-class townships

Township Supervisors, in second-class townships

Borough Council Members

Mayors in select boroughs

Municipal Auditors, except where abolished

Tax Collectors in select municipalities

The detailed list of offices up for election and sample ballots for each precinct are available at www.countyofberks.com/elections.