Pennsylvania Senate District 12

About this race

Maria Collett (Democratic), Robert F. Costello III (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Maria Collett is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Maria Collett was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Robert F. Costello III was unopposed in the Republican primary. Pennsylvania nominates by plurality (no runoffs); unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Department of State's official May 19 primary returns (electionreturns.pa.gov) with the Department's post-primary withdrawal listing; independent and minor-party candidates who filed nomination papers are added when the Department of State posts the certified general-election list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Maria Collett, is on the ballot.