Hey America, Today is the Day! Here is some helpful information I received from Kathy Boockvar Secretary of the Commonwealth (PA)
” Dear Pennsylvania Voter:
Hard to believe but Election Day is finally here-- are you ready to vote?!
As always, polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm. Click here to find your polling location, and thank you for being a voter!
Here are some key facts to keep in mind:
Only first-time voters, or those voting for the first time in a new precinct, must show ID. Acceptable ID includes both photo and non-photo ID. Registered first-time voters who do not bring ID to the polls can return with identification or must be offered a provisional ballot.
Voters who applied for and received a mail ballot and then decide they want to vote at their polling place can do so - bring your mail ballot and outer envelopes to the polling place to be voided. You may then vote on your county’s voting system.
If you applied for a mail ballot but did not return it and forget to bring it with you, you may vote by provisional ballot at your polling place on election day. Your county board of elections will then verify that you did not vote by mail before counting your provisional ballot.
Voters have the right to vote without being subjected to intimidation, harassment or discriminatory conduct. A voter who experiences intimidation should report it to the county board of elections and the district attorney’s office. Voters can also call the Department of State at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or the U.S. Department of Justice’s Voting Section at 1-800-253-3931.
If you are told you are not in the polling place where you are registered, if you can, go to the correct polling place to vote. If you can’t and you believe you are in the correct precinct, you can still cast a provisional ballot.
Voters who moved within Pennsylvania but did not update their address in time before the election may vote one more time in their previous precinct, as long as they update their address at the polling place.
If a voter is challenged on the basis of identity or residency, the voter may vote normally by signing a challenge affidavit and producing a witness who is also a registered voter in the precinct to vouch for them. If the voter cannot or does not want to produce a witness, the voter may cast a provisional ballot. Identity, residency and qualifications as an eligible voter are the only bases for challenging a voter at a polling place.
Voters have the right to assistance at the polling place, including foreign language or literacy assistance. A voter may select any person to assist as long as the person is not their employer, union representative or the Judge of Elections. Voters do not need to be designated as “assistance permitted” in the poll book to receive help. A person who wants assistance will be asked to sign an Assistance Declaration at the precinct, unless the poll book already indicates “assistance permitted.”
Voters have the right to refuse assistance.
If you are in line at your polling place by 8pm, you must be permitted the right to vote.
In addition, the Department of State website at votesPA.com can help voters with election-related questions and information, including:
If you think you’ve received this email in error, call 1-877-VOTESPA or email RA-Elections@pa.gov to let us know.
Stay safe and well, and thank you for exercising your fundamental right to vote!
Kathy Boockvar
Secretary of the Commonwealth “