Article Summary –
Pennsylvania counties are still preparing mail ballots due to delays in court rulings on candidate listings. Although state law mandates processing applications 50 days before elections, counties may not send ballots until early October. Voters can apply for mail-in ballots now, with a submission deadline of Election Day.
State Officials Clarify Pennsylvania Mail Ballot Processing Amid Confusion
Pennsylvania voters cannot yet cast ballots due to confusion over a state law concerning mail ballot applications. Counties are still preparing mail ballots.
Typically, Pennsylvania counties send out mail-in ballots weeks before the election. They have been awaiting the state Supreme Court’s decision on third-party candidates. The final ruling came Monday, requiring time to test, print, and mail ballots.
“It could be till early October before ballots start going out,” said Lisa Schaefer, executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
The confusion arises from a state law mandating counties to start processing mail ballot applications 50 days before an election, which fell on Sept. 16 this year.
However, Sept. 16 is “not a strict deadline for when counties must have mail ballots ready,” clarified Amy Gulli, Pennsylvania Department of State spokesperson.
After Monday’s court ruling, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt certified the official candidate list for the November general election. Counties are now preparing ballots for printing and will start mailing them to voters who requested them.
By law, counties must deliver or mail official mail-in ballots as soon as they are certified and available.
Counties may also offer mail-in ballots for over-the-counter service at county election offices.
Cumberland County Elections Director Bethany Salzarulo stated her office had heard from voters that ballots would go out on Sept. 16, which is “not accurate.”
“Mail-in and absentee ballots are historically sent out three to four weeks before any election, and we are on track for the upcoming presidential election,” Salzarulo added.
The Philadelphia City Commissioners Office expects that ballots will be sent out next week in Philadelphia County.
Unlike some states, Pennsylvania does not have an early voting system. Registered voters can apply for their mail ballot in person and submit it in one visit at their local county elections office.
“Pennsylvania has mail-in ballots, and every eligible voter can get one as soon as they are available,” Schaefer said. “Voters should not be concerned about not getting them yet.”
The deadline for counties to receive completed mail-in ballots is 8 p.m. on Election Day. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 29, one week before the Nov. 5 election.
Are you ready to vote? Make sure to check your voter registration status, see who’s on your ballot, and make a voting plan here.
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