Increasing Voter Access: Online Ballot Request Application Now Available

Posted by Keystone Votes on February 25, 2020

In case you missed it, the Pennsylvania Department of State announced on Feb. 11 that is has launched of a new website where voters for the first time can request the newly legalized mail-in ballots for the April 28 primary election.

View the new website: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania/articles/2020-02-11/pennsylvania-launches-online-application-for-mail-in-ballots

Starting this year, Pennsylvania voters now have several ways to vote if they choose not to go to the polls or are unable to get to the polls on election day: mail-in ballot or absentee ballot, both of which they can use to vote via mail or in person at their county election office.

Mail-in ballots are new this year thanks to sweeping reforms included in Act 77 of 2019. With that law, which takes effect for the first time in the 2020 primary election, Pennsylvania has done more to increase voter access and security in just the last few months than it had in eight decades prior — and mail-in ballots are among the most significant changes.

The online application for mail-in ballots is available by CLICKING HERE: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/OnlineAbsenteeApplication/#/OnlineAbsenteeBegin

On behalf of the Keystone Votes coalition, we wanted to share this important information with you so you can be sure your broad network of stakeholders are aware of the new option and take advantage of it. We encourage you to spread the word.

How does it work?

In short, counties must begin processing mail-in and absentee ballot applications 50 days before the election. For the April primary, that will be March 9. As soon as the ballot is finalized, the counties will mail ballots to voters or provide them in-person at the county election office. Both mail-in and absentee voters will receive a ballot in the mail to complete and return to their county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Again, mail-in ballots are new this year thanks to Act 77, and will provide a brand new option for Pennsylvanians who do not qualify for absentee ballots, which are still available at the link above.

These reforms not only enhance security, but they also encourage greater engagement and participation in the Democratic process, and that benefits us all. Please share the news or contact us with any questions. Thank you!