How Easy Is It To Register To Vote
If you are a Pennsylvania resident and have not checked recently you might
be surprised what is involved in registering to vote. Do you have a Smart Phone –
an iPhone or Android? Do you have an Internet connection? Can you go on line?
If so, there are easier ways to register than the paper form, although the paper
Application is still good. Here is where my thoughts wander at this time of year
and my prior background as a high school social studies teacher takes over.
For all matters regarding registration and voting, Pennsylvania has a handy
site that can be accessed both by Smart Phone – the aforementioned iPhone or
Android or any phone that can get on the Internet – and also by computer. Just go
to www.votespa.com. As the site indicates, VotesPa “can help you find your
polling place, check your registration status, register online to vote, apply for an
absentee ballot, and more.”
Here are some things you need to know:
There is a Deadline to Register To Vote. The last day to register to vote
before the November 6, 2018 election is October 9, 2018, approximately 3 weeks
from today’s date. If you are already registered, unless something has changed
you are probably ok but you can also go to www.votespa.com to Check Your
Registration Status to make sure you are properly registered.
In order to register to vote in the November 6, 2018 election –
You must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Pennsylvania at least 30 days
before the election;
You must be at least 18 years old on election day.
The application will ask you why you are applying. You need to check one
of the selections. The alternatives are: New Registration, Change of Name,
Change of Address (Note: If the change was a move from another state to
Pennsylvania, indicate New Registration), Change of Party, and Federal or State
Employee registering in last county of residence.
Have your Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID with you when you
are completing the information. If you do not have one, then you will be asked for
the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
There is a telephone number you can call if you have any questions. It is 1-
877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).
Absentee Ballots Have Deadlines. If you know you will be out of the area
on election day, November 6, and cannot vote at your polling place or you are
physically unable you might qualify to vote with an absentee ballot. However, you
must apply in advance for the ballot and you must be the one to return it to the
County Voter Services Department either in person or by mail.
The process for Absentee Ballots is (1) complete the paper absentee ballot
application and indicate the reason why you cannot get to the polling place on
election day (2) send the absentee ballot application to the County Election Office.
Except for members of the military, the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is
one week before the election (3) if accepted you will receive the absentee ballot.
Once you receive the absentee ballot you need to (1) mark the ballot following the
instructions (2) Sign and place the ballot in the secrecy envelope and then into the
official envelope (3) Return the ballot so it arrives at the County Election Office on
time. For the next election the last date to complete the request for the absentee
ballot is October 30. The last date when it must be received back at the County
Election Office is November 2.
As you can see, the absentee ballot process is time consuming and it is
best to submit the necessary forms earlier rather than later. We are currently
within the time frame to request an application for absentee ballot. There are
special rules for military and overseas voters.
An additional handy tool can also be found on the www.votespa.com site to
locate your polling place. Go to the Polling Place Search Tool and type the
County of your residence, City, Street Name and House Number and Zip Code. If
you have any difficulty, contact your County Election Office or Voters’ Services.
About the Author Janet Colliton
Esquire, Colliton Law Associates, P.C. Janet Colliton has practiced law for over 38 years, 37 of them in Chester County, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Her practice, Colliton Law Associates, PC, is limited to elder law, Medicaid, including advice, applications and appeals, and other benefits planning including Veterans benefits, life care and special needs planning, guardianships, retirement, and estate planning and administration.