PENNSYLVANIA, USA — The official deadline to apply for a mail ballot for registered Pa. voters is Oct. 29, and the Shapiro administration is urging voters to apply as soon as possible.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt encourages those voting by mail to apply sooner rather than later to ensure their vote will be counted by Nov. 5.
"With just one week left to apply for a mail ballot, if you plan to vote by mail, you should apply online or in person today so that you have enough time to receive your ballot, complete it, and return it to your county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day," Schmidt said. "Also, remember that if you apply for your mail ballot in person at your county elections office, you can complete it and return it all in one visit through Oct. 29."
Whether completing your ballot at home or in your county election office voters should follow the following steps to ensure that their vote is counted.
- Read all instructions within the ballot.
- Fill out the ballot by following the instructions on how to mark selections. Check both sides of the ballot in case there are races listed on the second page.
- Seal the ballot in the yellow inner secrecy envelope marked "official election ballot." Do not make any stray marks on the envelope.
- Seal the yellow inner secrecy envelope in the pre-addressed outer return envelope.
- Sign and write the current date on the voter's declaration on the outer return envelope.
- Mail or hand deliver the completed ballot to their county elections office, or hand deliver the ballot to an officially designated satellite office or drop box.
County election offices must receive all completed mail ballots, mail-in or absentee ballots, by 8 p.m. on election day.
