Monday is Deadline to Register to Vote in May 17 Primary

Monday, April 18 is the deadline to register to vote in the May 17 primary, which features local races for seats on public school boards - the primary taxing body for Pennsylvania property owners.

Lehigh and Northampton county Democrats and Republicans will also be choosing their candidates for municipal offices, county commissioner and, in some cases, magisterial district justice and county judge.

Locally, there are 11 candidates running for five open seats on the East Penn School Board. There are four candidates for one open seat on the Upper Milford Board of Supervisors. In the contest for Emmaus Council, there are five candidates for four open seats. The current local magistrate, Donna R. Butler, is running for magistrate again. She is running unopposed.

Primary elections in Pennsylvania are “closed,” meaning only voters registered in one of the two major parties can cast their ballot for candidates. Voters registered as Independent can only vote on ballot questions or in the case of a special election held in conjunction with the primary.

Pennsylvania residents have until the close of business on April 18 to register to vote, change their political party affiliation or notify voter registration of a change in address.

Lehigh County Voter Registration is located in the county government center, 17th S. Seventh St., Allentown and is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 610-782-3194

The Northampton County Election Office is located at 670 Wolf Ave., Easton and is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: 610-559-3055.

Stay tuned to Patch for candidate profiles and interviews designed to help voters make an informed choice. Send your questions for local candidates to us at jennifer.marangos@patch.com.