Deadline for absentee ballot requests in Pa. is today

(Harrisburg) –Today is the last day for Pennsylvanians to apply for an absentee ballot for next Tuesday’s election.

Secretary of State Pedro Cortés says if voters are planning to request one, they should submit their requests and vote their absentee ballot in person at their County Board of Elections Office.

“As everyone knows, we have a very important General Election coming up on November 8,” Cortés said. “Absentee balloting gives eligible Pennsylvanians who are unable to go to the polls on Election Day the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.”

Completed absentee ballots are due to their county election offices on Friday by 5:00 p.m.

Comprehensive information about absentee ballots, including a downloadable request form, can be found at the Department of State’s website votesPA.com.

Applicants will be asked to supply basic voter registration information and to specify a reason for applying to vote absentee.

Absentee ballots may be cast by deployed members of the military, Pennsylvania students attending out-of-state colleges or universities, individuals with illnesses or disabilities, and individuals who will be away from their municipality on business on Election Day.

Pennsylvanians applying for an absentee ballot must provide their driver’s license or PennDOT ID number.

If they do not have a driver’s license or PennDOT ID, they must give the last four digits of their Social Security number. If a voter has neither, he or she must present a copy of an acceptable photo ID. A list of approved alternative types of identification is available at votesPA.com.

An absentee voter can designate someone else to deliver the absentee application and ballot if he or she is physically unable to do so.

Certification of Designated Agent forms are also available online.