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Civic Engagement: Government

Know Your Government

Allentown runs as a Pennsylvania third-class city and has a strong Mayor-Council setup. The mayor is elected for four year terms and leads and handles city matters. There are seven elected members on the City Council and they make decisions together about city laws. There's also the City Controller, who watches over the city's finances and is elected for four years.

The Home Rule charter, decided on by voters in 1996, says what each elected person can do and how voters can propose new laws through a process called 'initiative and referendum'.

Allentown is situated in Lehigh County, in Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district. 

Lehigh County is located in southeastern Pennsylvania in the area known as the Lehigh Valley, with the city of Allentown as its county seat.

 

 

Pennsylvania Elections

Primary Elections

  • When: Held on the third Tuesday of May in most years; fourth Tuesday of April in presidential years.
  • Purpose: Democrats and Republicans select candidates for the November general election.
  • Closed Primary System: Only registered party members can vote for their party's candidates. However, all registered voters can participate in primaries if there are constitutional amendment questions, ballot questions, or special elections in their district.

Special Elections

  • When: Occur when an elected official can no longer serve (due to resignation, death, or removal).
  • Timing: May be held during general elections, primary elections, or on different days.
  • Voting: All registered voters in the affected district can vote.

General Elections

  • When: Always on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
  • Purpose: Voters elect federal, state, and local officials, including the U.S. president, senators, representatives, and state officials.
  • Odd-Numbered Years: These are called municipal elections, with no federal or state races on the ballot.
  • Presidential Elections: Occur every four years, with party nominees competing in November.

Presidential Elections

  • Nomination Process: Major parties hold national conventions to select their presidential nominee based on primary election results.
  • Electoral College: The president is elected by this group, not by popular vote. Each state has electors based on its congressional members. A candidate needs 270 out of 538 electoral votes to win.
  • Pennsylvania's Role: The state has 19 electoral votes, awarded to the candidate who wins the popular vote in Pennsylvania. Your vote tells the electors which candidate to support.

Elections

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