Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve been inundated with TV ads, those terrible radio ads, Youtube ads, and text messages… please let the text messages stop… you know there is an election on Tuesday, November 8. LGBTQ people and all marginalized communities can not skip or ignore these important State and Federal elections. Not when these very elections can touch our communities directly and especially with the continued war on trans youth, our community, and reproductive freedom that has also come to Pennsylvania.
The general election on November 8, 2022, can and will have a direct impact on our communities and the issues that are most pressing: accountability and demilitarization of the police; gentrification, affordable housing, and the mass displacement of communities of color; the continuing epidemic of violence toward trans people of color. Abortion and our marriages are on the ballot!
With all of that, here is your queer guide to the 2022 Elections on November 8th:
When is the election?
The 2022 General Election is on Tuesday, November 8th. Polls in Pennsylvania are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. You can find your polling place here. If you have not already voted by mail, you must vote in person at your polling place.
Who’s on the ballot?
Which races and candidates appear on your ballot will depend on where you live and are registered to vote. You can view a sample of your ballot, the races you can vote in, and the candidates to choose from here.
Who should I vote for?
While we can’t tell you who to vote for, the Steel City Stonewall Democrats have put together a list of their recommended candidates outlined below.
The Steel City Stonewall Democrats work to sensitize and educate all candidates and officeholders, Democratic Party leaders, and the community at large about the issues and concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community. View their full recommendations here.
US Senate
Lt. Governor John Fetterman has been a long-time ally of the LGBTQ Community here in Western Pennsylvania and across the Commonwealth.
US House of Representatives 12th District
Summer Lee
US House of Representatives 17th District
Christopher Deluzio
Governor & Lt. Governor
Josh Shapiro and Austin Davis
PA Senate 38 District
Lindsey Williams
PA Senate 42 District
Wayne Fontana
PA House 19 District
Aerion Andrew Abney
PA House 20 District
Emily Kinkead
PA House 21 District
Sara Innamorato
PA House 23 District
Dan Frankel
PA House 24 District
PA House 25 District
Brandon Markosek
PA House 27 District
Dan Deasey
PA House 30 District
Arvind Venkat
PA House 33 District
Mandy Steele
PA House 34 District
Summer Lee
PA House 36 District
Jessica Benham
PA House 38 District
Nick Pisciottano
PA House 42 District
Dan Miller
PA House 45 District
Anita Astorino Kulik
Ballot Question
If you live in Allegheny County, you will see a ballot question that says:
“Shall Article III, Subsection 6(b) of Allegheny County’s Home Rule Charter be repealed in order to allow Members of County Council the same freedom of right to seek other elected office as is accorded to all other independently elected officials in Allegheny County, such that Council Members are permitted to run for nomination or election to elected office other than that of County Council Member without first having to resign from County Council?”
As it currently stands, members of Allegheny County Council are required to resign their elected office if they choose to seek election to another office. Locally this is unique to County Council members. No other elected positions in Allegheny County have this “resign to run” requirement. A “yes” vote on this question would support the removal of the “resign to run” requirement. A “no” vote on this question would support keeping the “resign to run” requirement for Allegheny County Council members.