Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres today encouraged Pennsylvania voters to educate themselves about their rights before they go to the polls on November 6.
“Voters enjoy certain protections under state and federal law as they carry out their constitutional right to vote,” Secretary Torres said. “They should be aware of those rights.”
Here are some important tips regarding voter rights in Pennsylvania:
Only first-time voters, or those voting for the first time in a new precinct, must show ID. Acceptable ID includes both photo and non-photo ID. Registered first-time voters who do not bring ID to the polls can return with identification or must be offered a provisional ballot.
If a voter’s name is not in the poll book, poll workers should call the County Board of Elections to see if the voter’s name was left out of the poll book inadvertently. Registered voters who are in the wrong precinct polling place should go to the correct polling place to vote. A voter who believes he or she is registered in the precinct and should be listed in the poll book may cast a provisional ballot.
Voters who have moved within Pennsylvania, but did not update their address in time before the election, may vote one more time in their previous precinct, as long as they update their address at the polling place.
If 50 percent or more of the voting machines at a polling place are not working, voters have the right to use an emergency paper ballot. Poll workers should immediately offer the ballots, but if they do not, voters should request one instead of leaving without voting.
If a voter is challenged on the basis of identity or residency, the voter may vote normally by signing a challenge affidavit and producing a witness who is also a registered voter in the precinct to vouch for them. If the voter cannot or does not want to produce a witness, the voter may cast a provisional ballot.
Voters have the right to assistance at the polling place, including foreign language or literacy assistance. A voter may select any person to assist as long as the person is not their employer, union representative or the Judge of Elections. Voters do not need to be designated as “assistance permitted” in the poll book to receive help. A person who wants assistance will be asked to sign an Assistance Declaration at the precinct, unless the poll book already indicates “assistance permitted.”
Voters have the right to refuse assistance.
Voters have the right to vote without being subjected to intimidation, harassment or discriminatory conduct (PDF). A voter who experiences intimidation should report it to the County Board of Elections and the District Attorney’s office. Voters can also call the Department of State at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or the U.S. Department of Justice’s Voting Section at 1-800-253-3931.
The Department of State provides voter rights information in two brochures: “Voter Guide. FAQ About Voting in Pennsylvania” (PDF) and “Top 5 Things Every Pennsylvania Voter Should Know.” (PDF)
“Voters can download and print their own copy of these brochures to take with them to the polling place,” Secretary Torres said. “It is important that voters know what to expect, what their rights are and who to contact if an issue arises.”
To confirm your registration, locate your polling place or find other voter information, visit votesPA.com.
In a new feature added to make voting easier, you can now find your congressional, state senate and state house district when you confirm your registration.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State
Related Links
http://www.state.pa.us
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