HARRISBURG, Pa., (PRNewswire) — Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes Friday reminded voters of their right to cast their ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and provided tips on how to make their voting experience positive.
“Your vote is your voice, and the department encourages all registered voters to participate in the General Election,” Cortes said. “Become familiar with your county’s voting system, and please remember to cast your ballot according to the simple instructions provided at your polling place.”
In recent months, materials in public circulation have misinformed electors and urged them to follow certain steps that would inadvertently invalidate their vote. The Department of State reminds voters:
— As long as you are registered to vote, or believe you are registered, no one can deny you the right to cast a ballot. You have the right
to vote on the voting system used in your polling place as long as your name appears in the poll book. If anyone tries to stop you from
voting, immediately ask for the Judge of Election, who is an election official at the polling place. The Judge of Election will tell you
whether you are qualified to vote and can vote on the voting system. If the Judge of Election tells you that you cannot vote on the voting
system, you must be given a paper ballot, known as a provisional ballot, and you can cast your vote that way.
— To vote for a candidate whose name appears on the ballot, you must select the candidate according to the instructions for your voting
system. If you write in a candidate’s name that already appears on the ballot for that office, that vote will not be counted.
— Absentee ballots may only be used by registered voters who will not be able to appear at the polling place due to an illness or physical
disability, absence from their municipality during the hours that the polls are open, or certain other limited reasons (such as a religious
observance).
— You must use the voting system(s) selected by your county election officials. Paper back-up ballots may be used only in the event that
the voting system becomes inoperable and the county board of elections has decided it cannot be used.
— All voters who are voting for the first time in their election district must present valid identification at the polling place. Examples of proper identification include a Pennsylvania driver’s license, an employee identification card, a voter identification card and even a current utility bill.
— Visit http://www.votespa.com/ to view an instructional video and practice voting on a simulated version of the machine you will use in
your home county on Election Day – Nov. 7. Simply click on the words “How To Vote,” select your county of residence, and try it out.