On May 20, the 2025 Primary Elections will be held in Pennsylvania. It is essential to participate in this democratic exercise from the early stages of the process, which determines who will run for the positions ultimately held by either Democrats or Republicans—especially in a historic moment when the visions of both parties are so starkly opposed.

It is common to hear various citizens complain about the poor quality and lack of preparation of election candidates, and it is also frequent to hear people disqualify someone based on past actions or due to the widespread general mistrust toward most politicians. However, criticizing is not the same as participating; and for the citizen who does not actively fulfill their duty to vote, sooner or later they will have to confront the consequences of their indifference.

In recent days, critical voices have spoken up—mostly Democrats, but also independents, and even a growing number of Republicans—who are concerned about the controversial decisions of the current government. Many of these voices come from active citizens who not only exercise their right to vote but also mobilize for their causes. However, among these complaints are also those of people who did not turn out to vote in the last presidential election and now must endure the weight of policies and decisions they do not agree with or feel do not benefit them. Therefore, this should serve as a lesson to take more seriously the responsibilities of a free citizen who does not neglect his electoral duty.

The upcoming primaries are the first step in a process aimed at selecting the best candidates to represent their party in the election for the seats up for grabs this coming November.

It is during the primaries that preferences begin to be expressed, and the most prepared candidates should be the ones to advance to the final election, where those who will ultimately win the seats will be chosen.

In this edition of Impacto, we echo some basic information to help our readers who are eligible citizens begin planning their participation. Both the Pennsylvania government and civic initiatives have worked to ensure that citizens have access to all the necessary information, and we will continue with our commitment to facilitate access to reliable information, promoting civic participation rooted in critical thinking.