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Al Schmidt: “In states like Pennsylvania, only Democrats and Republicans…”

Featuring: Al Schmidt, Republican | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election

Published May 18, 2026 | Video Starts at 21:17

It is not an issue that I've heard of yet. It is a particular issue in states like Pennsylvania, as you know, that have closed primaries, meaning that In states like Pennsylvania, only Democrats and Republicans can vote in their primaries. But if you are registered independent, if you're not affiliated, if you're Libertarian or green or whatever else, you do have the ability to vote for ballot questions or for … (21:17–21:35)

CLAIM

Asserts that Pennsylvania has closed primaries where only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in their respective primaries.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Al Schmidt

“I think this is the first press conference I've ever had here without Mark Scarfolo sitting right there.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 15:29-15:36
“Tomorrow is a primary Election day in Pennsylvania.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 16:16-16:20
“The polls are open in Pennsylvania from 7am to 8pm and if you're in line by 8pm you are still able to cast your vote.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 16:43-16:53
“Completed mail ballots must be returned to your county or to a county drop box if they have them. County Board of elections office by 8pm…”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 16:53-17:05
“8pm on election day is deadline for them [mail ballots] to be returned.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 17:04-17:10
“If you requested a mail ballot but decide to vote in person, you have a couple options.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 17:30-17:36
“Voters have rights protected by federal and state laws and voter Intimidation and coercion are illegal.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 18:27-18:36
“Pennsylvania election laws... do not allow counties to begin pre processing mail ballots before 11am or 7am on election morning.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 19:28-19:42
“County election officials need time to accurately count every ballot.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 19:57-20:02
“No, Tom and I haven't heard that. So if there is any truth to it, I'm not questioning it.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 20:54-21:01
“Voting by mail is very safe and secure and it is not complicated.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 23:16-23:21
“In Pennsylvania, you can only return your own ballot. You can't return someone else's ballot.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 23:36-23:46
“Only Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates who are running in a primary for the Democratic or Republican nomination.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 24:46-24:53
“Counties in every election, for every vote, whether a race is close or not close, count every eligible vote that's cast.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 26:51-27:02
“Provisional ballots are counted in every election, not just when races are close.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 27:14-27:22
“In Pennsylvania, we only have race for governor and lieutenant governor statewide.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 29:10-29:19
“For a governor it's not contested in either party.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 29:20-29:24
“Polls are open from 7am to 8pm if you're in line before 8pm you can still cast your vote.”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 29:53-30:00
“If you still have your mail in ballot with you and it's sitting around on your kitchen table and you haven't completed it yet, it is…”
Secretary of Commonwealth Reminds Voters to Prepare for May 19 Primary Election | Uploaded May 18, 2026 | 29:59-30:09