Pennsylvania's general election is on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visit the PA Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website for more election information.

Important Dates

  • Monday, October 21, 2024 - Was the last day to register to vote in this General Election (must have been registered by 4:30 pm for Delaware County residents)

  • Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - Last day to request a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot for this General Election (must be requested by 4:30 pm for Delaware County residents)

  • Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - Election Day! Polls are open 7 am - 8 pm. Also the last day for the Delaware County Board of Elections to receive completed mail-in and absentee ballots (must be received by 8 pm).

Voter’s Guide

For past elections, H-CAN has put together non-partisan voter’s guides focusing on the local candidates running for office in Haverford Township. Because there are no election races for local offices, H-CAN has not created a traditional voter’s guide for the November 2024 Presidential election.

Instead, please refer to the following voter’s guides which list the candidates and their endorsements, and they will link you to Ballotpedia which points you to candidates’ official websites and social media.  

  • Blue Voter Guide This voter’s guide focuses on clearly showing endorsements of progressive organizations. 

  • Vote411 Voter Guide This non-partisan voter’s guide is from the League of Women Voters, an organization focused on voter education. 

  • Committee of Seventy Voter Guide This non-partisan voter’s guide is from the Committee of Seventy, an organization established to improve the voting process, combat corruption, and engage citizens in the democratic process. 

To help you prepare for election day, H-CAN also offers a Frequently Asked Questions page:

Note: When voting on Tuesday, November 5 in the Presidential election, note that the ballot positions for the candidates are random.

Who are we voting for and what do people in these positions do? 

In the November 5 Presidential election, we are voting for the following offices:

  • President of the United States

The President of the United States is the head of the American government and fills a number of different roles at the same time. As chief executive, the Constitution gives the president broad executive powers to be used at home on domestic issues and also extends to foreign affairs, but that power is limited by our government’s system of checks and balances. The president is also the nation’s chief diplomat, the main director of American foreign policy. In addition, the Constitution makes the president the commander in chief of the armed forces, which gives the president direct and immediate control of the military. As chief legislator, the president shapes public policy and may suggest, request, and insist that Congress enact laws believed to be needed. Sometimes, Congress does not agree with the president and decides against legislation. The president is automatically the chief of party—the leader of the political party that controls the executive branch. Finally, the president is chief citizen, which means the president should represent all of the people of the United States. Citizens expect the president to work for their interests and provide moral leadership. The president must carry out each of these roles at the same time.

  • U.S. Senator

The U.S. Senate is one of two chambers of Congress (the other is the U.S. House of Representatives) that creates and passes federal laws. Each of the 50 states has two Senate representatives that are elected to serve for six-year terms. The role of the Senate is to serve as a check on the popularly elected House of Representatives so that each state, regardless of size or population, is equally represented. Senators represent the people, hear their problems and concerns, and promote legislation that is in the best interests of the average citizen. Senators serve on Senate committees that focus on topics such as health, education, business or national security, then debate new bills and propose amendments to the existing legislation. A finalized bill will pass through several committees on its way to the Senate floor for a full vote. If a bill originated in the Senate, it is passed on to the House of Representatives for approval. If approved, the bill goes to the president to be signed into law or vetoed. The Senate also has the sole power to approve or reject nominations by the president and treaties with foreign governments by a two-thirds vote.

  • U.S. House Representative

The U.S. House of Representatives is one of two chambers of Congress (the other is the U.S. Senate) that creates and passes federal laws. Per the Constitution, the House of Representatives makes and passes federal laws. The number of voting representatives in the House is fixed by law at no more than 435, proportionally representing the population of the 50 states. Each representative is elected to a two-year term serving the people of a specific congressional district. Representatives represent the people, hear their problems and concerns, and promote legislation that is in the best interests of the average citizen. Among other duties, representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, vote on legislation and serve on committees.

  • Pennsylvania State Attorney General

The Pennsylvania attorney general is the chief legal and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth and is charged with many duties including prosecution of organized crime and public corruption, oversight of the criminal investigations unit and drug law enforcement program as well as direction of statewide and multi-county investigating grand juries and a Medicaid Fraud Control Section. The attorney general works with other Commonwealth agencies to provide legal advice including for proposed rules, regulations and contracts within state agencies and also oversees the collection of debts and taxes. The attorney general is in charge of consumer protection and represents the Commonwealth and its citizens in any action brought for violation of the Antitrust Laws of the United States and the Commonwealth.

  • Pennsylvania State Auditor General

The Pennsylvania auditor general is the chief fiscal watchdog of the Commonwealth, using audits to ensure that all state money is spent legally and properly. The mission of the Department of the auditor general is to serve the people of Pennsylvania by improving government accountability, transparency, and the effective use of taxpayer dollars through financial and performance audits. The auditor general reviews state financial statements, corporate tax returns, children and youth agencies, district courts and county row offices, federal funds spent by the commonwealth, municipal pension plans, the performance of state programs, school districts, state-owned facilities and much more.

  • Pennsylvania State Treasurer

The Pennsylvania State Treasurer serves as the custodian of more than $100 billion in Commonwealth funds and is responsible for the receipt and deposit of state monies, investment management and oversight of all withdrawals and deposits from state agencies. The state treasurer also administers several programs and services that provide an opportunity for financial empowerment for families, municipal governments, and non-profit groups across the state.

  • Pennsylvania State Senator

The Pennsylvania state senate is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature, which meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. There are 50 state senators representing their local district in state government. State senators are elected for four-year terms, staggered every two years so that half of the seats are contested at each election. Even numbered seats and odd numbered seats are contested in separate election years. Alongside the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Pennsylvania state government and works alongside the governor of Pennsylvania to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Pennsylvania State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes. Constituents can contact their state senator for any state government-related issues they may have.

  • Pennsylvania State House Representative

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature, which meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. There are 203 members elected for two-year terms for single-member districts and they are all up for election or reelection at the same time. Alongside the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Pennsylvania state government and works alongside the governor of Pennsylvania to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes. Constituents can contact their state representative for any state government-related issues they may have.

United States flag blowing in the wind.