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PA group works to educate voters on deadlines, registration, mail-in ballots

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Tuesday, September 17, 2024   

As the November 5 general election fast approaches, there's a push for more voter education in the Keystone State.

It's National Voter Registration Day, and more than 8.7 million Pennsylvanians may participate in the general election.

Amy Widestrom - executive director of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania - said it's important that you register to vote before the deadline, to make sure your voice will be heard.

"You have to be registered to vote by October 21, in order to vote in the general election on November 5," said Widestrom. "If you're not registered by the 21st, you can't vote. If you want to request a mail-in ballot, the deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 29."

Widestrom recommended double-checking your registration status to make sure it's correct. This can be done on the Pennsylvania Department of State's website or on VOTE411.org.

Widestrom added that voter participation is particularly important, since the choices will ultimately affect issues from health care to education.

Widestrom pointed out media reports of early voting in Pennsylvania starting Monday have caused confusion.

She explained that the Keystone State Act 77 says early voting can start 50 days prior to the general election - but early voting means actually dropping off mail-in ballots in person, at county election offices.

And at this point, the ballots are not yet ready for voters.

"In the state of Pennsylvania, we are currently waiting for a couple of pieces of litigation, court cases to be settled, before mail-in ballots - and indeed, in-person ballots - can be finalized," said Widestrom. "So, there are some third-party candidates that are suing to be on the ballot, and until those court cases are settled, the ballots can't be finalized."

For anyone who will be voting by mail, Widestrom emphasized the importance of writing the correct date on the ballot - meaning the date they filled out the ballot.

She noted that the League has been involved with court cases about dates on mail-in ballots - and last week's Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling risks disenfranchisement for thousands of voters in this swing state.

"At this point, across the state, incorrect dates on mail-in ballots can be used to disqualify a mail-in ballot," said Widestrom. "We continue to say that is not material to the act of voting, and this is something that needs to be addressed."

In the meantime, she said the League has numerous events and resources, including local forums, tabling events and online information sessions. These can all be found online at PALWV.org.



Disclosure: League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania contributes to our fund for reporting. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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