If you're planning to vote in Allegheny County in November but don't want to wait in long lines, you can vote ahead of time with a mail-in or absentee ballot.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. If you want to skip the lines and vote early, you'll need to make sure you're a registered voter and that you've filled out the appropriate applications ahead of time, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State
.Here's everything you need to know about mail-in and absentee voting in Allegheny County.
What is the deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania?
The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 19.
What is the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot?
Mail ballot applications must be received by Allegheny County on or before 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.
When is my mail-in ballot due in Allegheny County?
Allegheny County must receive your completed ballot by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
How do I apply for a mail-in ballot in Allegheny County?
You can apply online, by mail or in person.
Allegheny County's application can be found online here.
What documents do I need when I apply for a mail-in ballot?
When you apply for your mail-in ballot, you'll need your Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID number, or the last four digits of your social security number.
If you don't have these forms of identification, you should have another form of photo identification such as a U.S. passport, U.S. Military ID, photo employee identification issued by any level of government, photo employee identification issued by an accredited state public or private higher education institution, or a photo identification issued by a Pennsylvania care facility.
What to do if you'll be out of town on Election Day
You can request an absentee ballot ahead of time if you know you'll be out of Allegheny County on Election Day. Submit the application by 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.
If there's a last-minute emergency that requires you to be out of the county or an unexpected illness or disability, you can request an emergency absentee ballot after 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.
The application form is available online on the Pennsylvania Department of State's website and can be submitted to Allegheny County Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day, the same time absentee ballots are also due.
Ballot options, deadlines for voters with disabilities
Disabled voters who utilize screen readers and assistive devices may be eligible to receive an accessible remote ballot.
To get an accessible remote ballot, an individual must be a registered Pennsylvania voter, apply for a mail or absentee ballot, and submit a request for an accessible remote ballot online, through the mail or via email.
When Allegheny County Elections has processed the request, staff will send out a packet of accessible voting material, including a return envelope and a secrecy envelope, as well as an email with instructions for how to access the ballot.
Completed ballots must be received by Allegheny County Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Can a family member or friend drop off my Pennsylvania ballot for me?
Under state law, voters must return their own ballots, though there's an exception for voters with a disability who have designated someone in writing through the "Authorize a Designated Agent Form" to deliver their ballot. That form can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of State's website.
Can I see if my Pennsylvania ballot was accepted and counted?
The status of your ballot can be tracked online at the Pennsylvania Department of State's website. Additionally, if you provide your email address to Allegheny County Elections when you register to vote or apply for a mail ballot, you may receive an email when your returned ballot is received, as well as other information about its status.
Check your Pennsylvania voter registration status
If you're not sure what your voter registration status in Pennsylvania is, you can check it online here.
Allegheny County ballot return locations
If you missed the deadline to return your mail-in ballot or want to return it directly to the county in person, you can visit a ballot return site or a satellite voting and ballot return location. Satellite voting locations offer more comprehensive services, allowing voters to apply for, receive, vote and return their mail-in and absentee ballots, while return sites function solely as a place to collect completed ballots.
On certain days in October, satellite voting locations can found at Solders and Sailors Memorial Hall Auditorium, CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center, North Park Ice Rink, South Park Ice Rink and County Office Building. To see when the location closest to you is open, check Allegheny County's website here.
Ballot return sites will open the weekend before the election and remain open through Election Day. Hours vary by day and can be viewed at Allegheny County's website. Additional locations are expected to be announced ahead of the election, but so far, these sites will be accepting completed ballots:
- Allegheny County Emergency Services Building
- Avalon Public Library
- Boyce Park Four Seasons Lodge
- Carnegie Library Squirrel Hill
- CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center
- Dormont Pool
- Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank
- North Park Ice Rink
- South Park Ice Rink
- County Office Building
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Key Allegheny County, PA dates for mail-in voting before Election Day
