Time is dwindling for residents of Pennsylvania to request a mail-in ballot for the upcoming general election set for November 5.
The deadline for ballot requests is 5 p.m. this Tuesday, prompting election officials to advise voters to take swift action.
Voters can either request a ballot in person at their county elections office or submit a request online via the Department of State’s website.
To stay updated on the status of the ballot, including notifications for when it is dispatched and when it is received, voters should provide their email addresses during the request process.

Mail-in voters must ensure their completed ballots reach their county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
This can be achieved by mailing the ballot or delivering it directly to the county office.
Voters also have the option to track their mail ballots online by entering their first name, last name, date of birth, and county information.
Different counties have varying procedures for informing voters about issues with their ballot return envelopes.
In a recent ruling, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court determined that if a voter’s mail-in ballot is rejected, they are allowed to cast a provisional ballot on Election Day.

As the election date approaches, Anne Norton, the director of election services for Berks County, shared that the postal service’s efficiency has improved significantly, ensuring that ballots are both sent and returned promptly.
“It’s been just taking a couple of days,” she noted, praising the post office for its speed in processing ballots.
However, as Election Day nears, voters are encouraged to consider alternative methods of ensuring their votes are counted, such as delivering ballots directly to drop boxes or the county election office.
Each county operates its own rules regarding drop boxes, with Berks County offering three accessible locations, information which can be found online.

It is crucial for voters using drop boxes or in-person deliveries to return their own ballots, although voters with disabilities may assign someone else to do so by completing a designated agent form.
Additionally, those who have requested a mail-in ballot still retain the option to vote in person, though they will face certain conditions.
Voters must present their mail ballot and declaration envelope at their polling place, turn in the ballot, and complete some paperwork before casting their vote in person.
This additional step may take extra time depending on the volume of voters at the polling place.
Voters who do not return their mail ballot can only cast a provisional ballot, which will be validated by the county election board to ensure they have not already voted by mail.

In Lebanon County, early in-person voting is on the rise, according to election director Sean Drasher.
Although Pennsylvania does not officially provide early in-person voting as seen in other states, voters can utilize a workaround available until the October 29 deadline.
Voters may request a mail-in ballot at their local election office, fill it out on site, and then return it.
However, many voters attempting this method simultaneously have resulted in significant backlogs, creating difficulties for election offices that are trying to manage their workload.

Key dates to keep in mind include the final day to apply for a mail-in ballot—October 29—where requests must be made by 5 p.m. and counties are required to send out ballots within 48 hours.
Election Day is on November 5, by which time all completed mail ballots must arrive at the county election office by 8 p.m.
It is essential for voters to adhere strictly to the provided instructions when completing their ballots.
They should securely place their ballot within the yellow envelope labeled “official election ballot,” which must then be sealed inside the pre-addressed return envelope.
To ensure the ballot is counted, voters must sign and date the outer envelope on the day it is completed, as failure to do so will result in a rejected ballot.