Voters Reminded of Approaching Deadline for Civilian Absentee Ballot

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – May 10 is the deadline for most Pennsylvania residents to apply for civilian absentee ballots for the May 17 primary election, the Department of State advised today.

"The right to vote is perhaps the most important one we hold as citizens, and I want to make sure all Pennsylvanians who want to exercise this right are able to do so," Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele said. "For people who must be away from their homes on May 17, absentee ballots are available, but applications must be received by next Tuesday's deadline."

Voters should apply for absentee ballots with their county's board of elections.

Registered voters who must apply for an absentee ballot by May 10 include:

• People who will be absent from the state or the municipality where they live because of occupation, business, or duties;
• People unable to go to the polls because of illness or physical disability;
• People observing a religious holiday;
• County employees with duties on election day relating to the conduct of the election;
• People employed by the state or federal government and their spouses or dependents who are within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia but absent from the municipality where they live.

Voters who become ill or are called away from home by business or duties between May 10 and 13 may request an emergency application for an absentee ballot from their county board of elections by 5 p.m. on May 13.

Voters becoming ill or who are called away after May 13 may request an absentee ballot from the county court where they live up until 8 p.m. on primary election day.

Residents can find contact information for their county board of elections by visiting www.votesPA.com, clicking on county contacts and websites, and choosing the county in which they live.

Media contacts: Ron Ruman, 717-783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED