Harrisburg Happenings, Community Events & More

Rep. Dan B. Frankel May 15, 2026

PA Representative Dan Frankel banner image

Friday, May 15, 2026

Please note that my district office will be closed on Tuesday, May 19, and will close at noon on Friday, May 22.

We have our opportunity to make our voices heard by voting. Check out the guide at the end of this email for resources and information about how to vote and what to expect. Please note that the Squirrel Hill Library is a ballot return site!

Harrisburg Happenings

Vaccine Rates in our Schools

An ongoing series by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has highlighted the declining vaccine rates in our commonwealth’s schools, the growing risk of preventable outbreaks and gaps in how vaccine requirements are enforced. The reporting also includes a searchable database of school vaccination rates that families can use to learn more about their local schools.

These challenges are the direct result of years of misinformation spread by politicians and profit-driven influencers who have undermined trust in safe, effective public health programs that have protected generations of children.

We must rebuild confidence in public health institutions while ensuring our communities remain protected from preventable outbreaks — all within a needlessly polarized political environment that makes legislative solutions virtually impossible.

I am working closely with the Department of Health to empower families – both by helping them get access to vaccine rates in their schools and by ensuring that every parent and school can get all the accurate, research-backed information they need to make informed health decisions for their children.

Community Events and Resources

District 23 High School Essay Contest
Deadline: May 31, 2026

Do you know a local student who is passionate about democracy, civic engagement, and the future of our country? I’m partnering with the League of Women Voters to select one high school junior or senior from the 23rd Legislative District to represent our community at a special Pennsylvania House session and civic learning experience at Congress Hall in Philadelphia on Sept. 9, 2026.

Interested students should submit a 200–400-word original response to one of three essay prompts focused on democracy, civic responsibility, and America’s future.

To be eligible for the contest, students must live in the 23rd District and be high school juniors or seniors in fall 2026. The selected student’s parent or guardian will receive support from the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial, including a $200 travel stipend, meals during the event and one night of hotel accommodations. Students can confirm their legislative district using the Pennsylvania General Assembly district finder.

Learn more and apply through the essay contest application form here.

City Cuts Applications Now Open

City Cuts is the City of Pittsburgh’s free lawn-cutting program for low-income residents, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who are unable to cut their own grass. Applications are now open and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more and apply here or call 311.

The program also needs local landscapers and contractors, who can apply here.

Parks on Tap Beer Garden
Friday May 15, 3 - 7 p.m. | Schenley Park Visitor Center

Parks on Tap is back for another season of outdoor fun in Schenley Park! Enjoy local food trucks, live music from 4–6 p.m., wooded trails, and a special summer-inspired beer created for the event series.

Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. No registration is required.

Learn more about the Parks on Tap series here.

Regent Square Yard Sale

Saturday, May 16, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Regent Square Neighborhood

The Regent Square Community Association is hosting a neighborhood-wide yard sale. Bring your own reusable bag and look for treasures!

Find more info here.

Future Explorers Day
Saturday, May 16 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Moonshot Museum, Pittsburgh

Students and families are invited to Future Explorers Day, a free hands-on celebration of science, creativity, and space exploration. Kids in pre-K through 12th grade can take part in engineering activities, mission simulations, and interactive career exploration with aerospace professionals — all made possible through support from the Regional Assets District.

Learn more here.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit Bus Line Refresh Pop Up Event

Monday, May 18, 2-5 p.m. | Bus stop @ Forward & Shady Aves

PRT has begun its final round of engagement about upcoming changes to Pittsburgh’s bus line plan. Attend this upcoming bus stop event or click here to learn about other ways to provide input.

Volunteers Needed for Pittsburgh Pride

Shifts available throughout June 5, 6 & 7 | Various locations

Help make Pittsburgh Pride a success in 2026. Two-hour shifts are available throughout the weekend. Drivers, greeters, helpers in the children’s tent and more are needed.

Voting Resources

Primary Election Tuesday, May 19

Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Any voter in line by 8 p.m. is entitled to vote.

What's on the Ballot: Democrats, Republicans and Independent voters can look up their sample ballots here. If you don’t know your ward or precinct numbers, you can use the registration look up tool to find it here.

City of Pittsburgh Ballot Measure: If you live in the City of Pittsburgh, there will be one ballot measure on your primary ballot. If you are a registered independent, you will be able to cast a non-partisan ballot with this ballot measure only. For more information, including an explanation of the measure, please refer to the League of Women Voters’ ballot initiative guide.

Poll Workers Wanted: Poll workers can earn $150–$175 for serving on Election Day. Apply online here.

Voter Reminders: Pennsylvania law requires voters to return their own ballot. Mail ballots must be sealed inside the secrecy envelope or they cannot be counted. Declaration envelopes must also be signed and dated.

ID Requirements: All first-time voters and anyone voting at a new polling location must show ID. Acceptable forms of ID include a Pennsylvania driver's license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued photo ID. If you do not have a photo ID, you may use other forms of ID such as a current utility bill or bank statement that has your name and address on it. Voters who do not have an acceptable ID may cast a provisional ballot.

Check Your Voter Registration: The deadline to register to vote has passed.

Registered voters can verify their registration through the Pennsylvania Department of State portal, which also provides Election Day polling locations, mail-in/absentee ballot status, and county Board of Elections contact information.

Voting with a Criminal Conviction: Pennsylvania allows individuals with misdemeanor or felony convictions to vote, including those in jail or prison (misdemeanor), on house arrest, probation, parole, in a halfway house, or in pretrial detention. No action is needed to restore voting rights after completing a felony sentence. Some voters in these circumstances may need to request an absentee ballot.

Mail-in / Absentee Ballots: The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot has passed. If you have an emergency between now and Election Day, such as a sudden illness/disability or last-minute absence from your municipality, you may be able to obtain an emergency mail-in ballot. Completed ballots must be received by the county by 8 p.m. on Election Day (note that the postmark date will not be taken into consideration). You can track your ballot here.

Allegheny County Ballot Return Sites: Voters who applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot may return it in person to the Allegheny County Elections Division.

Elections Division | County Office Building | 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 312 | Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-350-4500 | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

The Carnegie Library of Squirrel Hill will be open as a ballot return site on the following days:

Friday May 15, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday May 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday May 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday May 18, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Please note that you will not be able to vote in person at the Carnegie Library during early ballot return. You may bring your completed, sealed, and signed ballot in its secrecy sleeve, and a county employee will collect it from you.

Accessible Voting: All polling places are required to have at least one accessible way to vote. Check accessibility options before Election Day here. Permanent absentee ballots are available for voters with permanent disabilities.

Provisional Ballots: Voters whose registration cannot be verified at the polls or who do not have an acceptable ID may cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are reviewed by the county Board of Elections after Election Day. Voters can check the status of their provisional ballot by calling 1-877-VOTESPA or tracking it online here.

Voter Education Toolkit: Find resources covering election deadlines, how to vote, and info about Pennsylvania's secure voting systems here.