Pa. Candidates, Ducking November Fight, Run On Both Primary Tickets

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - In one week, voters in Pennsylvania go to the polls to elect nominees for November. In some cases, candidates have twice the chance, because they're cross-filing -- running on both party's ballots.

Cross-filing really means you have a chance to win it all during a primary. That's why many candidates for township commissioners, school board positions -- both with great powers to raise taxes and control budgets -- file as candidates under both party's banners. Candidates for judge quite often do the same.

If you file and win just one party's election, you face off against an opponent in November. If you win both, you're the winner. Cross-filing is banned in some states, but in Pennsylvania, the rare exception, it is legal.  It's really doubling down on the chance to avoid a battle in November.

Reported by Larry Kane, KYW Newsradio 1060