Pennsylvania, one of the nation's premier swing states, holds its governor's race in 2026, on the ballot November 3, 2026, in a state Donald Trump carried in 2024. There is no U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania this cycle. Here's a nonpartisan guide.
What's on the 2026 ballot in Pennsylvania?
The headline is the governorship, with Democratic incumbent Josh Shapiro seeking reelection in a perennial battleground, a Democratic-held governorship in a state Trump won, which draws national attention. Below it: all of Pennsylvania's U.S. House seats, several of them highly competitive, state row offices, state legislative races that determine control of a closely-divided legislature, and county and municipal contests. Pennsylvania does not elect a U.S. senator in 2026.
What makes Pennsylvania a battleground?
Pennsylvania is a classic tipping-point state, decided by fractions of a point in recent presidential cycles, with a large, diverse electorate spanning Philadelphia and its suburbs, Pittsburgh, and vast competitive stretches in between. Its congressional and legislative maps contain some of the most contested seats in the country, and control of the closely-divided state legislature can turn on a handful of districts.
Why turnout decides Pennsylvania
Because Pennsylvania is so evenly divided and a midterm lowers turnout, the electorate that shows up decides the governor's race and the legislative majority alike. Pennsylvania's mail voting has grown, so turnout is a weeks-long operation, and the closest House and legislative races are won or lost on mobilization in a few pivotal areas.
Frequently asked questions
What are the big races in Pennsylvania in 2026?
The governorship, Democratic incumbent Josh Shapiro seeking reelection in a state Trump won, plus competitive U.S. House seats, state row offices, and legislative races that decide control of a closely-divided legislature. There's no Senate race in 2026.
Why is Pennsylvania a battleground?
It's a tipping-point state decided by fractions of a point, with a large, diverse electorate and some of the most contested congressional and legislative seats in the country.
Why does turnout matter in Pennsylvania?
Because the state is so evenly divided and midterm turnout falls, the electorate that shows up decides the governorship and the legislative majority. Weeks of mail voting make turnout a sustained operation.
This reflects the cycle as of the date above. Facts drawn from nonpartisan sources including Ballotpedia. Confirm voting details at Vote.org.
Keep reading: Texting for a state legislative race and the 2026 midterms are a turnout election.