HARRISBURG — With the state’s new district lines finalized, candidates across the state will begin a mad dash to get on the ballot.

This process — which usually lasts three weeks — was shortened to just 10 days, thanks to legal challenges before the state Supreme Court before the new state district maps could be finalized. This potentially creates a barrier for new candidates to get on the ballot, several lawmakers said.

This condensed period is the latest piece of uncertainty for candidates and voters alike, in what has been years of changes to the state’s election administration. From the first time voting by mail in the midst of a pandemic, legal challenges to that law, last-minute guidance from the Department of State, to a 10-month process to redraw the state’s district lines — voters have seen a number of changes to their election system in the last two years.

“What are we doing as a state? How are we flubbing up so many elections? Does [the Department of State] just need to be redone?” Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Upper St. Clair, said. “After today, I’d probably get a lot of support on that.”

Candidates usually get a three-week period to collect the signatures they need. House candidates need at least 300 signatures and senators need at least 500 signatures to get on the ballot, though candidates always try to double that number in case some supporters’ signatures are invalid.

This election, however, candidates have 10 days to collect that same required number of signatures. The state Supreme Court unanimously upheld the maps approved by a state commission made up of legislative leaders and University of Pittsburgh chancellor emeritus Mark Nordenberg. This commission’s work was delayed from the start, due to delays in the 2020 U.S. Census.

Although candidates have 10 days to get the necessary signatures, it’s more likely candidates will only be able to get signatures over a seven- or eight-day period, because candidates need to hand-deliver their signatures in Harrisburg by March 28.

What’s more: The Pennsylvania Department of State didn’t release the petitions until late Thursday afternoon, leaving several local lawmakers hitting the site’s “refresh” button as they anticipate the hectic, complicated process.

“I hope the Department of State can give a prescription for anti-anxiety,” Ms. Mihalek joked. “I think [candidates] are all slowly dying today.”

Doorknocking

In the next week, residents across the state can expect they might get a knock at their door from their local representative or campaign staff, asking them to sign a petition so they can get on the ballot.

For Rep. Jason Ortitay, R-South Fayette, he plans to be knocking on residents’ doors every day. Under the new maps, Mr. Ortitay said 75% of his district will be made up of new constituents than the ones he’s represented for the last eight years.

While Mr. Ortitay said voters shouldn’t care about the “trials and tribulations” of politicians, he believes this shortened petitioning period could keep first-time candidates off the ballot.

“To me, this benefits the incumbent because we’ve been through this process before,” Mr. Ortitay said. “I’ve seen people who in normal circumstances have trouble getting 300 signatures. Now you condense that down, I think it’s going to be infinitely more difficult for new challengers to run than in years past.”

Rep. Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin, agreed that this condensed petition period may create “artificial barriers” for new candidates to get on the ballot.

“All of this stuff added together creates an additional chaos in an already very stressful period for any kind of candidate, let alone a first time candidate,” Mr. Pisciottano added.

House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, announced Thursday that he would cancel the three voting session days scheduled for next week, a spokesperson told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, said his caucus has been training campaign staff in recent weeks, in anticipation of finalized district maps. Mr. Costa is not up for re-election this year, so he does not need to complete the petitioning process this election cycle.

“There’s usually some form of a challenge,” Mr. Costa said. “That’s part of the election process.”

Gillian McGoldrick: gmcgoldrick@post-gazette.com; Twitter: @gill_mcgoldrick

First Published: March 17, 2022, 10:19 p.m.
Updated: March 18, 2022, 9:41 a.m.