Pennsylvanians Can Vote Early By Mail Ballot; Clinton County Drive-through Set-up Now in Use

HARRISBURG, PA – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar has reminded Pennsylvanians that, in addition to voting by mail now and at the polls on election day, Nov. 3, they have a third option: voting early in person by mail ballot at county election offices and satellite election offices.

“When voters use this new option, there is no need for mail delivery or waiting in line at the polls,” Secretary Boockvar said. “They can apply and cast their ballot on the spot, at their convenience, before Nov. 3. It’s how I plan to vote because election day is always the busiest day of the year for me.”

(Clinton County is not maintaining any satellite offices but a drive-through ballot box was installed this week in the parking lot at the county’s Piper Building and, with mail-in ballots sent out over the past weekend, it was busy during the morning on Froday when The Record stopped by).

Once their county has finalized and printed the ballot, voters can visit their county election office or satellite office and apply for a mail or absentee ballot. County election officials will check their eligibility while they wait and, once verified, will provide them with the ballot. Voters can then complete their ballot and cast it all in one visit.

Voters can use this option until 5 p.m. on Oct. 27, the deadline to apply for a mail ballot for the Nov. 3 election.

Some county election boards have opened satellite offices to offer county residents convenient voter registration services and mail-in and absentee ballot application processing and voting in different parts of their county. These satellite offices may be open additional hours, including weeknights and weekends.

Each satellite office has a secure ballot collection receptacle to store voted mail-in and absentee ballots submitted at the location.

Before making the trip to vote in person by mail ballot, voters should check the hours of their county’s election office or satellite office, Secretary Boockvar advised. A list of satellite voting locations designated by county election boards will be updated as information is made available.

Voters should also make sure that they enclose their ballot first in the white inner secrecy envelope and seal it, then insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope and sign and complete the voter’s declaration on the outer pre-printed return envelope. Voters must include these two steps in order for their ballots to be counted.

Pennsylvania voters can also choose to vote by mail or to vote in person at their polling place on election day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 3.
“Pennsylvanians now have more secure, accessible and convenient voting options than ever before,” Secretary Boockvar said. “I hope every eligible voter takes advantage of one of these options to make their voice heard.”

For more information on voting and elections in Pennsylvania, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.