Pennsylvania has been a battleground state for decades and President Joe Biden has visited nearly 30 times since taking office. It makes sense for Biden to visit the state now—he’s not battling in a primary. 

Presidential primaries in Pennsylvania typically are not hotly contested, with Pennsylvanians making their picks after Super Tuesday, when the majority of states vote in the preliminary round. This year, the primary date will likely change, but how much earlier it’s pushed is still up for debate.

Pennsylvania typically holds its primaries on the fourth Tuesday in April, but this year’s date coincides with the Jewish holiday Passover, during which observers avoid activities like driving, going to work and using electricity. This could impact a large portion of Pennsylvania’s population, and Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, said he supports a change of date. 

Last week, the state Senate passed a bill to move the primary up by five weeks to March 19. Not only would this date avoid Passover, but it would give voters a larger say in who the eventual nominee will be. The date still comes after Super Tuesday. 

Lawmakers have long resisted a change in primaries, saying it would move the election cycle, typically 13 weeks, into the holiday season. The bill would change that, compressing the season into just 11 weeks. 

Elections are largely run by county officials, who have no vote in the date change. They’ve expressed concerns over how the new date would shake out, and if they’d have enough time to change their plans. 

The bill would still have to be approved by the state House and signed into law by Shapiro. 

Who’s voting in the primaries is another issue. 

On Sept. 18 the last five governors of Pennsylvania: Govs. Tom Wolf, Tom Corbett, Ed Rendell, Mark Schweiker and Tom Ridge all signed a letter petitioning for open primaries, which would allow independent votes to cast their ballot. 

Only nine states, including Pennsylvania, have closed primaries. Voters can only participate in the primary for their registered party, leaving nearly one million independent and unaffiliated voters in Pennsylvania behind. 

Some open primaries not only allow independent and unaffiliated voters to cast ballots but allow crossover voting, in which a member of one party votes in the other party’s elections.

In semi-closed primaries, voters registered for a political party may only vote in their party’s primaries, while other voters can choose which party’s primary to vote in.

Opening primaries has been a hot-button topic in recent memory, but a bill has yet to make it through the Pennsylvania legislature. Now, with a divided legislature, that could change. 

Regardless of the primary debate, Oct. 23 is still the final day to register to vote before the Nov. 7 election this year. All Pennsylvanians can request a mail-in ballot with no excuse required, including college students. 

To register to vote or request a mail-in ballot, visit vote.pa.gov.