Acting Secretary of State Encourages Pennsylvanians to Request Absentee Ballots Early

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres today encouraged Pennsylvanians to submit requests for municipal election absentee ballots before the deadline of October 31.

Under the state election code, applications for absentee ballots must be submitted no later than one week before Election Day. For this year's November 7 municipal election, the deadline falls on Tuesday, October 31. Absentee voters must return their voted ballot to their county election office by Friday, November 3.

"The statutory deadlines have become increasingly unrealistic due to changes in service by the U.S. Postal Service," Acting Secretary Torres said. "Anyone who is planning to return the completed absentee ballot by mail risks missing the deadline."

Completed ballots must be received in county elections offices by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election. A timely postmark is not sufficient.

"By requesting and returning an absentee ballot well before the deadline, the voter ensures that his or her votes will be fully counted," Acting Secretary Torres said.

Absentee ballots may be cast by deployed members of the military, Pennsylvania students attending out-of-state colleges or universities, individuals with illnesses or disabilities, and individuals who will be away from their municipality on business on Election Day.  Comprehensive information about absentee ballots, including a downloadable request form (PDF), can be found at the Department of State's website votesPA.com. 

Applicants will be asked to supply basic voter registration information and to specify a reason for applying to vote absentee.

Pennsylvanians applying for an absentee ballot must provide their driver's license or PennDOT ID number. If they do not have a driver's license or PennDOT ID, they must give the last four digits of their Social Security number. If a voter has neither, he or she must present a copy of an acceptable photo ID. A list of approved alternative types of identification (PDF) is available at votesPA.com.

Once an absentee ballot has been completed, voters may return them by mail or deliver them in person to county election offices.

An absentee voter can designate someone else to deliver the absentee application and ballot if he or she is physically unable to do so. Certification of Designated Agent forms (PDF) are also available online.

On November 7, Pennsylvania voters will elect judges for the Pennsylvania Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth courts, as well as the Court of Common Pleas in many counties. Also on the ballot will be an array of local and county seats.

For additional information, call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com. 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Wanda Murren, (717) 783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us