HARRISBURG, PA — With the November 5 general election on the horizon, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt is urging Pennsylvania voters to act swiftly if they intend to vote by mail. As of now, more than 1.7 million Pennsylvanians have applied for mail ballots, but the official deadline to submit applications is fast approaching on October 29.
“With just one week left to apply for a mail ballot, if you plan to vote by mail, you should apply online or in person today so that you have enough time to receive your ballot, complete it, and return it to your county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day,” Schmidt advised. This recommendation underscores the importance of timely action to ensure every vote is counted.
Voters have several options for applying for mail ballots, including online applications or in-person submissions at their county elections offices. Notably, those applying in person can complete and return their ballots in a single visit until October 29.
The Department of State has emphasized the importance of following proper procedures to ensure ballots are counted. Voters should carefully read all instructions, complete their ballots as directed, and use the provided yellow secrecy envelope to enclose their ballots before placing it in the outer return envelope. The voter’s declaration on the return envelope must be signed and dated accurately.
Under Pennsylvania law, voters are permitted to hand deliver only their own ballots, except in cases where voters with disabilities have authorized a representative to do so or need an emergency absentee ballot. Completed ballots must reach county elections offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
For those who choose to vote in person, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 5. Voters who have received mail ballots can opt to vote in person by surrendering their mail ballot materials at their polling place. If a mail ballot has not been received or cannot be surrendered, voters may cast a provisional ballot, which will be validated post-Election Day by their county’s board of elections.
The Department of State provides myriad resources via its voter information website, vote.pa.gov, which includes mail ballot applications, polling place locators, and contact information for county elections offices. This site is accessible in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Chinese, and offers comprehensive guidance for new voters, mail-in and absentee participants, and other special voter groups.
While this election cycle does not feature any constitutional amendments or statewide questions, Secretary Schmidt encourages voters to stay informed about local referendums or special elections by consulting their respective county election boards.
For further assistance and information, voters can visit vote.pa.gov or contact the Department of State’s hotline at 1-877-VOTES-PA, which provides support in over 200 languages.
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