The United Nations recognizes 195 countries worldwide. Only 39 percent hold free elections in an environment without intimidation or retribution. My family came to the United States from one of those countries. In Cuba, citizens go to the polls to ratify a candidate already chosen for them — a single name, a single party, a theatrical performance of democracy with no real electoral power behind it. Casting a vote in a free election was not just a civic duty to my parents. It was an aspiration. Here in the United States, we have the power to vote, but sometimes we don’t always show up. In today’s 2026 Pennsylvania Primary Election, early poll reports suggest voter turnout is down compared to previous years.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the South Philadelphia High School polling station, the booths sat mostly empty under a 97-degree sky. Committeeman Stan Mir watched the slow trickle of voters and offered a frank estimate. «17 percent, maybe a little less, and that’s slow,» he said. I wondered if it was the heat, apathy, or trust in other Democrats to pick the right congressperson for the 3rd District — because, after all, whoever wins today’s congressional race will surely earn the seat in November. Philadelphia’s May 19 primary offered voters choices in several local and congressional contests, though Governor Josh Shapiro ran unopposed on the Democratic ballot.
The most competitive race was the open seat in Philadelphia’s Third Congressional District, left vacant by the retirement of Rep. Dwight Evans. Shaun Griffith, a South Philadelphia native and tax lawyer, is running against a field of formidable opponents. He stood outside the polls handing out literature to arriving voters. «I am the one without the millions,» he said, as he held an umbrella to protect himself from the blistering sun.»When I win, I can vote for the people because I don’t owe back campaign donations,» he said.
Historical data from the Philadelphia City Commissioners show that while turnout for off-year general elections has climbed to roughly 34 percent, primary participation remains persistently lower — attributed to voter apathy and limited public awareness of local races. Antonia Diaz arrived to vote and mentioned that she hadn’t seen any political commercials, which was her cue to start planning to vote. “There were no commercials this time. Usually, I vote in the primaries, but it didn’t seem like an important race because there were no commercials”. Antonia was not alone in her opinion. Tuesday was tracking well below even those modest figures. An election official, who asked not to be named, put the number at around 17 percent. «It’s about average,» she said. «It is also really hot.»
Committeewoman Maureen Brown, stationed outside the polls, noted that primaries always draw thinner crowds than the November general. But Tuesday’s brutal heat likely deterred older people, and parents with young children, she said. Marianne Martinez, a South Philadelphia resident, voted but admitted ambivalence. «These primaries don’t seem too important,» she said. «The ballot questions concerned me more.» Those questions — on Home Charter amendments and local referenda — receive little public explanation before Election Day, and even less inside the polling booth itself.
Katherine Davis, a young mother who walks past two polling places every day, held a different view. «I am hopeful people will get out to vote to be heard, even if it is just a primary,» she said. Audrey Lopez was less encouraged. «I am more discouraged and resigned by the current political climate,» she said — and then went in to vote anyway.
