HARRISBURG, PA — As the November 5 general election approaches, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth, Al Schmidt, is urging registered voters to apply for their mail-in ballots before the October 29 deadline. This initiative aims to facilitate secure, accessible voting and ensure every Pennsylvanian can participate in the democratic process.
Mail-in voting has become a vital component of the electoral landscape, providing voters with the convenience of casting their ballots without attending polling stations on Election Day. Secretary Schmidt emphasized this point, stating, “Casting your ballot by mail is a safe, secure, and convenient way to vote. It takes only a few minutes to apply online for a mail-in or absentee ballot or to apply in person at your county board of elections office.”
Voters who wish to utilize this option should visit vote.pa.gov promptly to ensure sufficient time for processing and returning their ballots. Upon receiving their mail ballot, voters should meticulously follow the provided instructions, which include marking their candidate selections correctly, sealing the ballot in the provided secrecy envelope, and ensuring the outer return envelope is signed and dated. All completed ballots must reach the voter’s county board of elections by 8 p.m. on November 5 to be counted.
For those who prefer, Pennsylvania offers the flexibility to request, complete, and return mail ballots in one visit to their county election offices until 5 p.m. on October 29. Secretary Schmidt also highlighted the importance of these provisions, adding, “No matter how you choose to vote – by mail ballot or in person at the polls on Election Day – what matters is making sure that your voice is heard.”
In addition to mail-in voting, traditional in-person voting remains available. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, and voters can locate their designated polling places via vote.pa.gov. Those who have requested a mail-in ballot but choose to vote in person must bring their mail ballot materials for cancellation. Alternatively, voters who do not receive their mail ballot can cast a provisional ballot at their polling place. These provisional votes will be verified by the county board of elections post-election to ensure all eligible votes are counted.
The Shapiro Administration has prioritized the integrity and accessibility of the electoral process, recognizing the critical role it plays in upholding democratic values. By promoting mail-in voting and ensuring robust options for voter participation, Pennsylvania continues to demonstrate its commitment to secure and fair elections.
For additional information on voting procedures and options, Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to contact the Department of State’s voter hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA or explore the resources available on vote.pa.gov, which provides multilingual support and comprehensive voting guidance.
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