While many people are paying attention to how the 2026 midterm elections might change the balance of power in Washington, D.C., it is also a potentially pivotal election here in Pennsylvania.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is up for reelection, running against Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, the current state treasurer. Who wins that race will certainly shape the state’s policy agenda for the next two years.

In the General Assembly, which is currently split – Republicans control the Senate and Democrats control the House – both chambers are also up for grabs. Democrats have been slowly eroding the Republicans’ hold over the Senate. In the House, Democrats have a three-seat majority, but Republicans could flip it.

Of course, nationally the wind is at the back of Democrats. Commentators are contemplating the possibility of a Democratic trifecta in Pennsylvania for the first time since 1993.

I teach public policy at Penn State Harrisburg and have a particular interest in Pennsylvania state politics. I think voters should understand not just the positions of the individual candidates on the ballot, but what the legislative priorities will be for either party if they gain control of the General Assembly.

If Democrats control the Assembly

For a glimpse at potential Democratic priorities should they keep the House and win the Senate, it is helpful to look at what legislation the current Democrat-controlled House has been sending the Republican-controlled Senate.

Election reform has been a perennial priority in the commonwealth since the passage of Act 77 of 2019 and the 2020 election. Act 77 authorized no-excuse absentee balloting and eliminated straight-ticket voting, which was a bipartisan compromise but became a political flash point in President Donald Trump’s efforts to question the 2020 election results. No-excuse means that voters do not need to provide a specific qualifying reason to vote by mail.

Democratic election law priorities have........

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