HARRISBURG, PA — With the May 20 primary election on the horizon, Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt has announced a comprehensive voter education campaign as part of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to promoting accessible, secure, and informed voting.
“Educating Pennsylvania’s voters about upcoming elections is part of Governor Shapiro’s commitment to strengthening our democracy and ensuring safe and secure elections,” Schmidt explained. “No voter should miss out on the opportunity to have their voice heard, so the Department provides clear, nonpartisan information about how Pennsylvanians can cast their ballot and have it counted.”
The initiative is focused on ensuring voters are well-informed about key election dates and their voting options, including mail-in ballots. Schmidt emphasized the importance of sharing accurate, accessible information to encourage broad participation in the democratic process.
Key Dates for Voters
To ensure every eligible vote is cast and counted, the Department of State has highlighted several important deadlines for residents to keep in mind:
- May 5: Last day to register to vote in the primary election
- May 13: Last day to apply for a mail ballot
- May 20: Primary Election Day, with polling places open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 8 p.m., May 20: Deadline for county election offices to receive completed mail ballots
Pennsylvania operates under a closed primary system, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can participate in selecting their party’s nominees. However, all voters, regardless of affiliation, can cast ballots on any local ballot questions that may appear.
Voter Education Efforts
The Shapiro Administration’s campaign includes a robust voter education toolkit featuring ready-to-use graphics and facts about the election. These materials are being made available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, ensuring the information is inclusive and accessible to Pennsylvania’s diverse population. Stakeholders and the public are encouraged to share these resources to amplify voter awareness ahead of the primary.
According to Schmidt, these efforts are part of a larger nonpartisan approach to arm voters with the knowledge they need to participate effectively in the democratic process.
Overhaul of Mail Ballot Process
A significant aspect of the Shapiro Administration’s preparations for the upcoming election is the redesign of Pennsylvania’s mail ballot materials and the online mail ballot application process. Secretary Schmidt highlighted the initiative’s success in making mail voting more accessible and reducing common errors.
“The Shapiro Administration’s redesigned mail ballot materials have made voting by mail clearer and easier to understand for Pennsylvania voters,” Schmidt said. “When most of these changes were introduced last year, we saw a 57% decrease in the number of mail ballots rejected for being improperly filled out.”
The updates include increased uniformity in ballot design across the Commonwealth’s 67 counties and streamlined instructions for filling out and submitting ballots, reducing the likelihood of mistakes. These modifications aim to enhance voter confidence and efficiency in the mail ballot process.
A Shared Responsibility
The Department of State urged voters to familiarize themselves with key deadlines and the latest available voting materials to ensure a smooth experience. Schmidt reiterated the importance of making voting both accessible and secure, stressing that no eligible citizen should be left out of such a fundamental democratic process.
Through initiatives like these, the Shapiro Administration aims to uphold the integrity of Pennsylvania’s elections while empowering residents to fully engage in shaping their local and state leadership. With the May 20 primary fast approaching, the message from state officials is clear: every voice matters, and every vote counts.
For more information on voting in Pennsylvania, including mail ballots, call the Department of State’s year-round voter hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA, visit vote.pa.gov.
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