Voting Rights, Election Protection - League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh

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Am I registered to vote ?

Voter registration up to date?

Challenged about my ID?

When to ask for a provisional ballot

Non-English speaking voters

Voting rights for disabled/ over 65

Voting rights of reentering citizens
Voting rights of incarcerated citizens

Poll Workers vs Poll Watchers

Election Protection and Poll Monitors

3 ways to vote in Pennsylvania

Q & A - challenges on Election Day

More Voting Pages

Do you know your VOTING RIGHTS in Pennsylvania?

Know Your Rights

When you go to your polling place on Election Day, it is important to KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.
This page will help answer your questions if your right to vote is challenged.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Digital KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Printed
DIGITAL: Download: www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=863151
PRINTED: Download: www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=863152

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For non-English speakers:
For Non-English Speakers. This website has a Google Translate "Select Language" Menu
in the upper right of every page.
Recursos para votantes. See our en Espanol webpage.

https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=863151

Am I REGISTERED to VOTE and is my voter information is up-to-date?

Basic Qualifications to Vote

Am I ELIGIBLE to register to vote?
You must be a citizen for at least 30 days before the next election, 18-years-old on or by the next election date, and a resident of Pennsylvania and of your election district 30 days before the election. You must also have registered to vote before the voter registration deadline for the next election,

Check Your Voter Status

Check Voter Registration STATUS This is the most useful link for voters. All your voter information, including your voter "status" and Polling Place will be listed at the PA Department of State website.

VOTING TIP: When you enter the polling place for your precinct, you will CHECK IN with an election official who will use the "poll book" to verify your voter registration status. IMPORTANT: If you recently updated your voter registration, but when you go to your polling place, changes are not noted in the poll book, you may always ask for a provisional ballot (see below), so don't leave without voting. Much more information on the In-Person Voting web page.

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I am a REGISTERED VOTER and my status is listed as "ACTIVE":

If you have registered to vote, on or before the voter registration deadline, you will see your address, your voter status* as "active", your DOB, political party (if you listed one when your registered to vote), mail-in voting information, your US Congressional, State Senate, and State House Districts, and most important, your POLLING PLACE address along with municipality, ward and precinct.

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I am listed as "INACTIVE"

I am listed as "INACTIVE".

(You have to use it so you don't lose it! This simply means you have registered in the past, but haven't voted in recent elections.)

There are two easy ways to change your "inactive" status to "active".

You can go to your polling place on election day and sign a form that changes your status to "active". You will be given a regular ballot and then may cast your vote.
Or, you can register to vote (online or with a downloaded application) on or before the voter registration deadline for the next election here.

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I am NOT LISTED.

If you are not listed, it means your County Election Office does not have a record that you registered to vote. You need to register to vote (online or with a downloaded application) on or before the voter registration deadline for the next election here.

How to UPDATE Your Voter Registration

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Is my voter information up-to-date or do I need to UPDATE my registration?

UPDATE YOUR REGISTRATION if any of your voter registration information has changed; you have a different name, new address, or different political party. For much more information about changes like a new address if you have moved, see this comprehensive web page: Voter Registration .

VOTING TIP: When you registered to vote, or when you update your voter registration, your County Elections Office will mail you your Voter Registration ID card . Your Voter Registration ID card can be used as a form of approved ID at your polling place. It also lists your voting information: your address, your political party if you chose one, your US Congressional, State Senate, and State House districts, and your municipality, ward, and precinct, and the address of your polling place.

Your VOTER ID Card

See a sample Voter Registration ID card (right):
When you register to vote for the first time or if you update your information,
you will receive a Voter ID card. You may use it as approved ID the first-time you vote in a polling place.

What if I am challenged about my ID or anything else?

Steps You Can Take
If You Are Challenged
at Your Polling Place

STEP 1: Ask the Judge of Elections at your polling place.
This election official has special training and is required to make sure that the election at your polling place runs smoothly, with all voting laws, rules, and procedures strictly followed. The Judge of Elections also can make judgments about challenging situations. If you have a question or difficulty at your polling place, the first step is to talk to your Judge of Elections.

STEP 2: Call Your County Elections Office.
The County Elections Division is the administrator and manager for county voting policies and programs that are consistent with state and federal regulations and mandated court orders. You can always contact your County Elections Office with questions or concerns. On Election Day, the Judge of Elections may call the office for help with questions about a voter's eligibility or any other challenges.

STEP 3: Address Your Concerns at your Polling Place on Election Day.
Most voters have a good experience at their polling place. However, if you encounter challenges, in addition to knowing Steps 1 and 2, more help follows:

In Pennsylvania, you are required to show ID only if you are a first-time voter or if it is your first-time in a polling place.
Approved photo and non-photo ID is listed below.
At your polling place, if you forgot your approved ID, you may go home to get it and then vote with a regular ballot, or you can vote with a Provisional Ballot.
At your polling place, if your ID is challenged but you believe your ID is valid, or for any other questions about your eligibility to vote, you can always ask for a Provisional Ballot. A Provisional Ballot records your vote, but whether or not it is counted will be determined by your County Elections Office within 7 days after the election.

For more see the "Election Protection Coalition Panel" below .

What APPROVED ID will I need at my Polling Place?

Approved ID

Pennsylvania law states that the only time voters need approved ID is when they are first-time voters or voting in a polling place for the first time.

A list of approved photo and non-photo ID is available at www.vote.pa.gov and below.

A helpful website www.Voteriders.orgto assist citizens to find approved ID is www.Voteriders.org (below/right). This nonpartisan organization can help with transportation and other costs of getting ID.

Approved PHOTO ID

Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card
ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
ID issued by the U.S. Government
U.S. passport
U.S. Armed Forces ID
Student ID
Employee ID

Approved NON-PHOTO ID

Voter Registration Card issued by the County
Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
Firearm permit
Current utility bill
Current bank statement
Current paycheck
Government check

ID requirements for all 50 states and
help finding approved ID:
VOTERIDERS.org

What is a PROVISIONAL BALLOT and when should I ask for one?

Provisional Ballots Explained

PROVISIONAL BALLOT
RULE #1: Eligible voters have the right to cast either a regular or a Provisional Ballot in their polling places.
RULE #2:  A correctly cast Provisional Ballot by an eligible voter will count just like a regular ballot.
RULE #3: Within seven days after the election, the Elections Division will verify whether the voter casting a Provisional Ballot was eligible and the vote was counted.

VOTING TIP:  If the poll book information does not match what you believe to be true (for instance, you are a registered voter, you are in the right precinct, or you are registered for a certain party), you may ask the Judge of Elections to check the supplemental list and/or call the Elections Office.

If your information is still challenged, request and cast a Provisional Ballot . Your provisional vote will be counted once your new registration information is confirmed. If you vote with a Provisional Ballot but are not voting in your correct precinct, only the votes for candidates who were also on your ballot in your own precinct will be counted.

There are many situations where a voter may cast a Provisional Ballot to be verified following the Election. See the explainer (right).

Provisional_Ballot_Explainer-_Guide_for_Voters-_2024.png

Provisional Ballots- Guide for Voters

https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=1389934

Provisional Ballots (Continued)

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If your eligibility to vote is challenged at your polling place

If your eligibility to vote is challenged at your polling place, you can ask the Judge of Elections to check the poll book "supplemental list", to call your County Elections Office, and you can ask to cast a provisional ballot. Some of the situations are:

you believe you registered to vote on-time, but your name is not found in the poll book
you applied for a Mail-in ballot, but you never received it, lost it, or did not bring it to be surrendered (so your Mail-in ballot could be spoiled)
your eligibility is challenged by an election official
you believe you are in the correct polling place, but your name is not found in the poll book for that precinct
you believe you are registered in a certain political party, but the poll book shows a different party (for Primary elections only)

When you cast a provisional ballot at your polling place, election officials will ask you:

to complete information on an envelope, sign your “declaration”, and
save your "provisional ballot ID receipt" and check online 7-10 days after the election to see if your vote was counted.

Tracking Your Provisional Ballot

Track Your Provisional Ballot
After the election, you can track your provisional ballot to see if your vote was confirmed and counted by the County Elections Office. (See graphic, left.)

VOTING TIP: If you are required to show ID (poll book notation), but you don't have approved ID with you, go may home to get it if possibe. With approved ID you will be able to vote with a regular ballot. However, you can also vote with a Provisional Ballot and that ballot will be counted.

What If I Have OTHER Voting Issues?

For Non-English Speakers

This website has a Google Translate "Select Language" Menu in the upper right of every page.
Recursos para votantes. en Espanol webpage aqui.

See vote.pa.gov- Espanol .

Updated 2023 Language Access Guidelines from PA Department of State.

Problems? See About Language Minority Voting Rights (justice.gov) .

Accessible Voting
for Voters with a Disability
or Voters Over 65

Accessible Voting Find the information you need at this www. vote.pa.gov web page including information for those with a permanent disability. You have choices about how to vote--either In-Person or Mail-in/Absentee Voting.

Every polling place in Pennsylvania must have at least one accessible voting system:

Look up the accessible voting system in your county

Find your polling place to see if it is accessible

VOTING TIP: Call your County Election Office if you encounter difficulties.

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IN-PERSON VOTING

If you need help voting due to a disability, you may bring a person of your choice to assist you in the voting process. There are a few restrictions on who to bring, including that you may not choose a person who is:

A Judge of Elections
Your Union Representative
Your Employer

The first time you have someone help you vote, the election officials at your polling place will ask you to complete and sign a form called a Declaration of Need of Assistance. After the first time, your registration record will note that you completed the form. This declaration is also available in Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese.

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MAIL-IN /ABSENTEE VOTING

MAIL-IN VOTING Webpage If you choose to vote by mail answer your questions here.

Third Party Ballot Delivery for Mail Voting:

If you have a disability that prevents you from applying in person for your mail-in ballot or from delivering your mail-in ballot, you may designate an agent to deliver your ballot material for you. You must designate the agent in writing using this form or a form provided by your county.

Can I Register & Vote?
For Incarcerated and
Reentering Citizens

Find all the information you need at "Voting Rights of Incarcerated and Reentering Citizens" web page here .

PROVISIONAL_BALLOT_Explainer_Venngage_10.1.22.png

VOTE with a Criminal History Video

https://youtu.be/yTVTPDXAopE?feature=shared

What are the different roles of Poll Workers, Poll Watchers, and Poll Monitors? Election Protection Coalition here.

"Poll Workers" and "Poll Watchers"

Both voters and election officials need to know the different duties of Poll Workers and Poll Watchers.
Poll Watchers Guidance from www.vote.pa.gov.

A graphic from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania explains the different jobs of a "Poll Worker" and a "Poll Watcher" (right).

Poll Worker: Also called an election official, election judge, or election clerk depending on their assigned roles. These officials are responsible for the proper and orderly voting at polling places. Poll Workers are trained by the Elections Division that has hired them for a specific election and take an oath to uphold their duties with integrity.

Poll Watcher: Poll Watchers are election observers, who may observe the steps in the election process. Each state has its own laws and procedures on when and where observers can be present, as well as who can observe the election.

For more, see this graphic from the PA Department of State provides detailed "Poll Watchers" guidance-- what Poll Watchers can and cannot do.

graphic describes difference between poll worker and poll watcher

Poll Worker vs Poll Watcher
https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=1060486

Election Protection Coalition
"Poll Monitor"

Election Protection Coalition Poster

If you feel you are unfairly challenged at your polling place, with ID or some other reason, and your problem has not been resolved, you can call the Election Protection Coalition. This national, nonpartisan coalition works year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count. Live operators are available to help you and to protect, advance, and defend the right to vote.

You can become a trained "Election Protection Monitor" for any election. Use the contact information below or call the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP) at 412-212-8775 for training. (www.b-pep.net)

If you experience or observe voter intimidation at your polling place, call the Election Protection Hotline:

866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Espanol - 888-839-8682)

844-YALLA-US (Arab American Institute- AAI)

888-API-VOTE (APIAVote and Asian Americans Advancing Justice -AAJC)

1-301-818-VOTE (National Association of the Deaf Hotline - 301-818-8683)

Election Protection Protection website: www.866ourvote.org

Election Protection Poster
https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=725809

What are the 3 WAYS I can vote in PA?

3 Ways to Vote

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3 Ways to Vote Explainer

New Voting Options explainer Did you know you have a right to vote 3 ways in Pennsylvania? This explainer has more,.

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Make a Plan to Vote Graphic

MAKE a PLAN graphic

If you vote in-person, Make a Plan to confirm your registration status, your ID, and your party affiliation (either Democratic or Republican for the Primary Election). Also, find your polling place and plan for work, childcare, and transportation.

More information in detail and a complete list of approved photo and non-photo ID on the In-Person Voting web page.

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MAIL-IN /ABSENTEE Voting Web Page

MAIL-IN VOTING Webpage will answer your questions about applying for, completing, and returning a Mail-in or Absentee ballot.

New Voting Options
https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=736485

More Q & A About Challenges on Election Day

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I registered, but didn't receive my Voter ID Card.

I registered to vote before the deadline. What if I don’t receive my Voter Registration ID card by Election Day?

If you can go online, keep checking your voter registration status HERE,
OR call the Allegheny County Elections Division at 421-350-4500 or your County Election Office.

VOTING TIP: Go to your polling place to vote! Even if you haven’t received your ID card or verified that your status is “active” by Election Day, if you registered to vote before the deadline, you have the right to go to your polling place to vote, even though you may need to vote a provisional ballot (see above).

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My name doesn't show up in Poll Book.

What if my name does not show up in the poll book (also called the "Voting Record" or “Voter Rolls”) at my polling place when I check in.

If you registered to vote before the deadline, tell the election official. The poll books are printed the Friday before the election, but additional registered voter names are given to polling places as “poll book supplemental lists.” If your name does not appear in the poll book, you can ask an election official or the Judge of Elections in your polling place to check the supplemental list and/or to call your County Elections Office.

If your name IS FOUND as a registered voter, you will be given a regular, paper ballot to vote.
If your name IS FOUND, but you haven't voted in up to two Federal election cycles: You will be asked to sign an affidavit to change your status from "inactive" to "active" and then you may vote with a regular, paper ballot.
If your name is NOT found, and election officials are telling you that you are in the wrong polling place, a) you should go to the correct polling place or b) if you believe you are in the correct polling place, you may ask for a provisional ballot.
If your name is NOT found, you have the right to ask for a provisional ballot (see above).

VOTING TIP: Do not leave without voting—it is your right! Just remember, following the election, if your eligibility to vote is confirmed by your County Elections Office, your provisional ballot will be counted.

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What about Voter Intimidation?

What if I see or experience voter intimidation?

Call the ELECTION PROTECTION HOTLINE if you experience or observe voter intimidation, if you run into any problems, or have questions on Election Day:

English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683;
Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682
1-301-818-VOTE (National Association of the Deaf Hotline -301-818-8683)

A Word About Voter Intimidation and Poll Watchers:

Guidance concerning "Poll Watchers" and "Authorized Representatives at Polling Places" can be viewed at vote.pa.gov .

VOTING TIP: It is important to know what Poll Watchers CAN and CANNOT do.

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Still in line when Polling Place closes?

What if I am still in line at my polling place when the POLL CLOSES at 8pm?

Stay in line until you are able to vote, no matter how late. Stay in line even if poll workers announce, "The poll is now closed." They say that to prevent more people from joining the line.

VOTING TIP: Remember, if you are in line when polls close, you have the right to vote!

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