Southeastern Pennsylvania Turnout Trails 2022 Midterms
Turnout in Southeastern Pennsylvania’s midterm election was lower than in 2022, with no sign that a surge of voters drove the region’s Democratic gains. Counts were still underway on November 4, and officials expected participation figures to rise slightly as remaining ballots were processed.
In Philadelphia, after officials had tallied more than 99% of ballots by Wednesday afternoon, about 44.6% of registered voters participated, compared with 47.4% in 2022. Montgomery, Chester and Bucks Counties were just above 62%, down from about 66% or more. Delaware County was just under 57%, compared with nearly 61% four years earlier. Philadelphia’s election commission chair estimated city turnout at around 45%, far above the 22% recorded in the primary but below 2018’s midterm level.
Provisional and overseas ballots, along with mail ballots with errors that voters could correct, remained outstanding. Philadelphia officials also said about 25,000 people who requested mail ballots had not voted in person and their ballots were still out. Delaware County elections administrator Jim Allen said he had expected turnout to be higher, while noting that the county had few competitive contests.
Pennsylvania had no U.S. Senate race, and Gov. Josh Shapiro won as expected. The region’s one closely watched congressional contest ended with Democrat Bob Harvie defeating Republican Brian Fitzpatrick. Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija said Republicans staying home may have contributed to the Democratic wins, and warned his party it would need to address voters’ concerns while in power. Philadelphia officials are considering ballot follow-up systems and community partnerships to help people reach the polls in the next election, six months away.
Democratic Gains Came Without a Turnout Surge
Democrats made gains in Southeastern Pennsylvania, but turnout figures offer little evidence of a broad new wave of voters behind them. On November 4, participation in Philadelphia and its four suburban counties was running below 2022 levels, and officials said some ballots were still being counted.
Philadelphia turnout stood at about 44.6%, compared with 47.4% in 2022. Montgomery, Chester and Bucks Counties were just above 62%, down from about 66% or more, while Delaware County was just under 57%, compared with nearly 61%. Provisional ballots, overseas ballots and mail ballots needing correction could lift the final totals, but officials saw no local turnout spike.
The region had few major contests to draw voters. Pennsylvania had no U.S. Senate race, Gov. Josh Shapiro won as expected, and Democrat Bob Harvie unseated Republican Brian Fitzpatrick in the region’s one closely watched House contest. Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija said Republican voters staying home likely helped Democrats, and argued his party must respond to people’s pressing concerns now that it holds power.
That is the central test for Democrats: low participation is not a durable endorsement. Philadelphia officials are looking at ways to follow up on mail ballots and work with community groups to help voters get to the polls before the next election in six months.
Low Turnout Raises Questions About Democrats’ Gains
Democratic gains in Southeastern Pennsylvania came as fewer voters turned out than in the 2022 midterms, leaving little evidence of a regional surge behind the results. On November 4, officials were still counting ballots, but participation remained lower across Philadelphia and its four suburban counties.
Philadelphia turnout was about 44.6%, below 47.4% in 2022. Montgomery, Chester and Bucks Counties were just above 62%, compared with about 66% or more four years earlier; Delaware County was just under 57%, versus nearly 61%. Remaining ballots could raise the final figures, but local officials said there was no sign of a turnout spike.
The ballot offered few close contests. Pennsylvania had no Senate race, Gov. Josh Shapiro won as expected, and Democrat Bob Harvie defeated Republican Brian Fitzpatrick in the region’s one closely watched House race. Delaware County elections administrator Jim Allen said he was surprised turnout was not higher and pointed to the limited number of competitive contests.
Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija said Republicans lacking enthusiasm may have stayed home and cautioned Democrats that they must address voters’ concerns while in power. That warning underscores the limits of treating the outcome as a strong mandate: the region’s participation fell, and officials are already considering new ways to encourage voting before the next election in six months.
Reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6abc Philadelphia.
