Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt is reminding registered voters planning to cast mail-in ballots in the May 19 primary election that applications must be submitted by May 12.
State officials are encouraging voters not to wait until the last minute to apply, complete and return their ballots to ensure they are received by county election offices before the Election Day deadline.
“If you plan to vote by mail in the primary election, now is the time to apply online or in person so you will have enough time to receive, complete, and return your ballot to your county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day,” Schmidt said in a statement released Tuesday.
Voters also have the option of visiting their county elections office in person through May 12 to apply for a ballot, complete it and return it during the same visit. Officials advise voters to check county office hours before traveling.
Under Pennsylvania law, completed mail ballots must be received by county election offices no later than 8 p.m. on May 19. Ballots arriving after that deadline will not be counted, even if they are postmarked by Election Day.
Election officials are reminding voters to carefully follow all instructions included with their ballots. Voters should place completed ballots inside the yellow secrecy envelope marked “official election ballot,” then seal that envelope inside the pre-addressed return envelope. The outer envelope must also be signed and dated before submission.
Mail ballots may be returned by mail or hand-delivered to county election offices, designated satellite offices or official drop boxes. Pennsylvania law allows voters to hand-deliver only their own ballots, with limited exceptions for voters with disabilities and emergency absentee situations.
Polls across Pennsylvania will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day for those choosing to vote in person.
Voters who requested mail ballots but decide to vote at the polls may do so if they bring their mail ballot materials with them to surrender and void. Those who requested a mail ballot but never received it, or who no longer have the ballot materials, may vote using a provisional ballot at their polling place.
Pennsylvania’s primary election system remains closed, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans may vote for party nominees. However, all voters may participate in constitutional amendment questions, local ballot questions or special elections that appear on their ballots.
The Department of State’s voter information website offers polling place information, county election office contacts and additional guidance for mail-in, absentee, military, elderly and first-time voters.
More information is available at [Vote PA](https://www.vote.pa.gov?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Source: PA Dept of State, bctv