FAQs: Registration, Mail-In or Absentee Ballots and Emergency Ballots in Pennsylvania

Registration

Can I still register to vote?

No, the deadline to register to vote was Oct. 19.

Mail-In or Absentee Ballots

Can I still request a mail-in or absentee ballot?

No, the deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot was Oct. 27.

I am registered to vote and I requested a mail-in or absentee ballot. How do I return it?

By mail: Mail-in and absentee ballots must be postmarked Nov. 3 and received by the elections office in the county where you are registered to vote no later than Nov. 6. (Note: to ensure your ballot is postmarked Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6, you may consider mailing or shipping it via a service that provides tracking information and delivery confirmation.)

In-person: You must drop off your ballot in-person at the county elections office where you are registered to vote on Nov. 3 by 8 p.m. (Note: you may only drop-off one ballot, and that ballot must be your ballot.)

You must return your mail-in or absentee ballot to the elections office in the county in which you are registered to vote. Other counties cannot accept your ballot, and your vote will not be counted.

Emergency Absentee Ballots

Can I vote from quarantine or isolation if I did not already request a mail-in or absentee ballot?

Yes. If you are in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19 on Nov. 3, you may designate an authorized representative to go to the elections office in the county where you are registered to vote to request your emergency absentee ballot, bring it to you complete and return it to the same county elections office no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 3

Who can be my authorized representative?

A member of your Pitt Care Team is able to act as an authorized representative if you are registered to vote in the county where your campus is located.

Can a friend or roommate be my authorized representative?

This depends on where you are living. If you are in isolation housing, only a designated Pitt staff member may enter the building. If you are quarantining in your residence hall, you may designate an individual who lives in your residence hall. No outside guests will be permitted to enter the residence halls. 

Will my authorized representative know how I voted?

No, your emergency absentee ballot will be private.

What if I have an emergency other than COVID-19?

The following emergencies qualify for use of an emergency absentee ballot:

·      You have or had an illness or physical disability that prevented you from applying for a non-emergency absentee ballot prior to the application deadline.

·      You were unable to apply for a non-emergency absentee ballot or mail-in ballot by the deadline due to your business, duties or occupation.

·      You became physically ill or disabled after the deadline to submit an application for a non-emergency absentee ballot.

·      You expect to be absent from my municipality on election day and you did not know that you would be absent prior to the application deadline for a non-emergency absentee ballot.

You will need to write a short description of your emergency on the emergency absentee ballot application.

What about faculty and staff members?

If you are a faculty or staff member who is in isolation or quarantine for COVID-19, or you experience another qualified emergency between Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Election Day, you may designate an individual as their authorized representative to go to the elections office in the county where you are registered to vote to request your emergency absentee ballot, bring it to you to complete, and return it to the same county elections office no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

When does my emergency absentee ballot have to be returned?

The deadline to submit your emergency absentee ballot application to the county elections office is 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.

Where can I find the address for my county’s election office?

Information on your county elections officials and office is available online.

Learn more at votespa.com.