Pennsylvania’s Nov. 3 midterm election will put control of state government and the U.S. House before voters, with a closely divided legislature and competitive congressional districts raising the stakes. Philadelphia residents will also decide two proposed amendments to the city’s Home Rule Charter. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is seeking a second term against Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity. Shapiro has emphasized public education funding, raising the state’s minimum wage and an energy policy that includes multiple sources. Garrity has called for expanding energy production, cutting state spending and increasing school-choice options. She opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the pregnant person’s life. The contest unfolds amid divided government in Harrisburg: Democrats narrowly control the state House, while Republicans hold a slim state Senate majority. Democrats are seeking their first full control of state government in decades. The Senate majority could hinge on several competitive races in eastern Pennsylvania, while all 203 state House seats are up for election. Pennsylvania’s 17 U.S. House seats are also on the ballot. The national chamber has a narrow Republican majority, and several races could affect control of Congress. In Bucks County, Democrat Bob Harvie is challenging Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, the last Republican representing the Philadelphia suburbs. Harvie has made affordability, housing and health care central to his campaign and called for a pause in data-center development. Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent and federal prosecutor, has represented the county since 2017. Other Philadelphia-area races include contests in districts represented by Democrats Brendan Boyle, Madeleine Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon and Chrissy Houlahan. In the 3rd Congressional District, state Rep. Chris Rabb, a democratic socialist who won the Democratic primary, faces independent Dennis Mahoney and Republican Jessica Arriaga. The race is for the seat held by retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans. Two questions will appear on Philadelphia ballots. The first would authorize the city to give bidding preferences to small and local businesses and reserve some contracts for those firms. It follows Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s push to shift from race- and gender-conscious contracting goals toward preferences based on business size and location. Approval would not remove existing charter language about participation goals for businesses owned by women, people of color and people with disabilities. The second question would establish the city’s existing Creative Philadelphia arts and culture office in the charter and require a mayor to appoint a chief cultural officer, with a stated annual salary of $205,000. Each amendment requires approval from at least two-thirds of voters to pass. The statewide voter-registration deadline is Oct. 19. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day; anyone in line by 8 p.m. can still vote. Most voters do not need identification, but ID is required for first-time voters and for people voting for the first time in a new district. Pennsylvania’s election services website and Philadelphia’s Atlas tool can help voters find their polling place. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is 5 p.m. Oct. 27. Pennsylvania does not have traditional early voting, but voters can apply for, fill out and return a mail ballot in person at an election office before Election Day. Completed ballots must reach election officials by 8 p.m. Nov. 3; postmarks do not count, and ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places. Philadelphia voters can return ballots to the county election office or an official drop box. Voters can check their registration, find their polling place and track a mail ballot through Pennsylvania’s official voter services at pavoterservices.pa.gov. Philadelphia voters can also find mail-ballot return locations and in-person voting options through vote.phila.gov.