Pennsylvania elections chief highlights voter rights two weeks ahead of Election Day

With just two weeks until Election Day, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt focused on the rights of voters in a weekly media briefing — whether they choose to vote by mail, provisional ballot or in-person.

Voters can request language and literacy assistance at their polling place from anyone who isn’t their employer, union representative or the judge of elections at that location. They also have a right to privacy without being subject to intimidation, harassment or discriminatory conduct. 

“It’s important that every voter be informed about how to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard,” said Schmidt. “A voter who experiences any of these should report it to the county board of elections or the district attorney’s office.”

What is on-demand mail ballot voting?

People can also call the year-round voter hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772). Every polling place in the commonwealth must have at least one accessible voting system for people with disabilities. 

As of Monday’s deadline to register to cast a ballot on Nov. 3, Pennsylvania has more than 9 million registered voters, including 3.8 million Democrats, 3.6 million Republicans and 1.5 million independent voters. 

More than 634,000 Pennsylvanians have already returned their mail-in ballots. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27 and completed ballots must be received by election offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Schmidt noted that polls open at 7 a.m. on Nov. 3 and close at 8 p.m., but emphasized that any voter in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot. Voters who requested a mail-in ballot can decide to vote in person by bringing their ballots — including the outer envelope — to their local precinct. 

Those who requested a mail-in ballot but didn’t receive one can cast a provisional ballot at their polling place on Election Day.

Provisional ballots are also an option for voters who are told by their county elections office that their mail-in ballots can’t be counted, meaning they might be missing a signature or secrecy envelope. 

“In an emergency situation, such as an unexpected illness, a disability or a last-minute absence from the municipality, a voter can request something called an emergency absentee ballot,” Schmidt added. “The deadline to submit that application and ballot at their county elections office is 8 p.m. on Election Day.”

Following the election, a county election board will review each ballot to determine if it will count. 

Pennsylvania law requires first-time voters to use a form of identification to vote, but allows voters who recently moved in-state another chance to vote at their previous address — so long as they update their registration with their new address after casting their ballot.