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PA Democrat

(13,342 posts)
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:22 AM Mar 2020

Pennsylvanians now have the option to vote by mail

Starting with the April 28th primary Pennsylvanians can vote by mail.

Voting by Absentee or Mail-in Ballot

Absentee and mail-in ballot applications for the April 28, 2020, primary election must be received by your county election office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

PLEASE NOTE: Voters should use the older absentee ballot application for special elections PRIOR to 4/28/2020. The information below regarding absentee and mail-in ballots take effect for the April 28, 2020, primary election.


What are mail ballots?
In Pennsylvania, you now have two options for mail ballots. You may either choose a mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot to request, complete, and return to your county election office.

Absentee ballot – If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you should request this ballot type, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot.

Mail-in ballot – If you aren’t an absentee voter, you may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason.
In order to request either ballot type, you must be registered to vote. Please visit Check Your Registration Status to review your registration information


Which ballot should I use?

Absentee Ballot
Who may apply for an absentee ballot application?

-College students who are not registered to vote at their school address
-People whose work or vacation take them away from the municipality where they live
-Those with a physical disability or illness that prevents them from going to the polling place
-Members of the military
-People who may have a conflict due to the celebration of a religious holiday
-Inmates who haven't been convicted of a felony

To vote by absentee ballot you must be registered to vote.


Mail-in Ballot
Who may apply for a mail-in ballot application?

You may apply for a Mail-in Ballot if you do not qualify for an Absentee Ballot. You must be registered to vote in order to vote by mail-in ballot.



Go here for more information about how to request a mail-in ballot:

https://www.votespa.com/Voting-in-PA/Pages/Mail-and-Absentee-Ballot.aspx

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

badhair77

(4,589 posts)
2. My application has been approved. Very simple process.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:15 AM
Mar 2020

Took less than 5 min online. Now I don’t have to wait in line with all those red hats.

jimfields33

(18,654 posts)
3. At least results will be received in time
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:25 AM
Mar 2020

California shows the wrong way to process absentees. A big disaster. No reason to take 30 days to count votes. Pennsylvania isn’t playing that game.

Freedomofspeech

(4,377 posts)
4. Our application has also been approved...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:46 AM
Mar 2020

Now we do not have to look at those disgusting trumphumpers. We are betting they will be openly carrying their guns this time. We are soo in the minority here in SW PA.

FakeNoose

(35,554 posts)
5. This is nice for working people and shut-ins
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 08:25 AM
Mar 2020

I predict that our primary on April 28th will have greater participation because of the Mail-in Ballot option. Now that I'm retired I have no problem getting to my neighborhood polling place because it's only a couple blocks from my house. I can actually walk there. But while I was working in previous years, I did find it inconvenient to vote especially for the primary elections. I even forgot to do it a few times. Not any more!


meow2u3

(24,916 posts)
6. Mail-in absentee ballots are a godsend for older voters
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:19 AM
Mar 2020

and voters with underlying medical conditions, given the coronavirus warnings given to this high risk population.

Thank you, Gov. Wolf.

dsp3000

(646 posts)
8. Hats off to Gov Wolf and the PA Dems. NIGHTMARE in 2018 trying to get absentee ballot living oversea
Thu Mar 19, 2020, 06:47 AM
Mar 2020

If you want to talk about having your voice suppressed, that was a great example. The PA website was blocked to all international traffic (which i didnt know), so i had to get a VPN. then, the form to fill out to get an absentee ballot is so confusing and basically makes it look like you have to be military or a shut in to vote, and on top of that you had to get "permission" from your boss. on top of that, the website did not work as intended either.

I am hoping to mail in vote for the PA Primary.

livetohike

(22,923 posts)
9. Just applied for a mail in ballot this morning. Simple.
Thu Apr 16, 2020, 06:45 AM
Apr 2020

Be sure to have your driver’s license handy as you’ll need the #.

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