By Millicent Watt, Senior Staff Writer
Challengers Ed Gainey, Tony Moreno and Mike Thompson will face off against Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto in next Tuesday’s primary elections, after a heated campaign season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In-person voting takes place on May 18 between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and all requested mail-in or absentee ballots must be turned in before 8 p.m. on Election Day. Unless a Republican enters the race for mayor, the winner of the Democratic primary will run unopposed in November’s general election.
Ballot Questions:
Allegheny County Proposed Ordinance
If approved, the Allegheny County Code will be amended to prohibit solitary confinement (more than 20 hours per day) in the Allegheny County Jail, except for limited circumstances and not to be used as punishment.
Proposed Home Rule Charter Amendment
If approved, Pittsburgh’s Home Rule Charter would be amended to prohibit the City police from executing warrants at any residence without knocking and announcing themselves first.
Statewide Referendum – Act 2020-91
This question asks Pennsylvanians to vote on making municipal fire departments and emergency medical companies with paid employees eligible to apply for loans from an existing state program.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1
If approved, this amendment would allow the General Assembly to end or extend all or part of a disaster emergency declaration without needing the governor’s approval.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2
If approved, this amendment would restrict the governor’s emergency powers in several ways.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3
If approved, this amendment would protect Pennsylvania citizens against denial of equal rights based on their ethnicity or race.
Details In Source: Your guide to the May 18 mayoral primary election – The Pitt News