Control of the Pennsylvania General Assembly will be on the ballot in 2026, setting up an expensive and far-reaching fight for the power to set policy in the Keystone State. Democrats and Republicans will each vie to maintain control of one legislative chamber while attempting to flip the other.

The Pennsylvania governor is just now emerging from a contentious four-month budget impasse that tested his ability to “get stuff done” in the pivotal battleground.

The window for prospective candidates seeking spots on Democratic or Republican primary ballots to circulate and file nomination petitions is Feb. 17 through March 10

Democrat Julian Guridy and Republican Robert Smith will face off next month for the chance to fill the remainder of Josh Siegel’s term in the state House’s 22nd District. Both candidates were chosen by their respective county parties Saturday.

Pennsylvania is likely to play a crucial role in determining the balance of power in Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, with four U.S. House seats expected to be competitive — more than any other state.

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Pennsylvania’s top election official wants a judge to toss out a lawsuit by the federal government demanding “highly sensitive personal information” about the state’s voters. The U.S. Department of Justice sued Pennsylvania in September after the state initially failed to turn over data about its nearly 9 million registered voters.

May-Silfee’s inquiries triggered what would become a multicounty investigation. She referred her county’s forms to their district attorney, called the York County elections office, texted a group chat of other election directors and notified the Department of State, which oversees elections statewide.

Luzerne County has drawn congressional scrutiny for its mistakes. Despite changes aimed at preventing errors, issues persisted in 2025.