Secretary of the Commonwealth Discusses Preparations for Nov. 7 Election, Encourages Voters to Rely on Trusted Sources for Election Information

​Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt at a press conference Thursday discussed election preparations and deadlines for voters to keep in mind to cast their ballot in the Nov. 7 municipal election. Ensuring that our elections are conducted freely, fairly, and securely – and that every eligible voter can make their voice heard – are top priorities of the Shapiro Administration.

"As we approach Election Day, it is important that voters have timely, reliable information from a source they can trust," Schmidt said. "The Department of State's website and county election office websites are the best sources of information about elections in Pennsylvania, and we want people to know where and how to access that information. I recommend bookmarking the department's website, vote.pa.gov, so it is readily available for users."

Schmidt also reminded voters that they have less than one week to register to vote in the Nov. 7 election and less than two weeks to apply for a mail ballot.

"For the many eligible Pennsylvanians who are not registered to vote, it is not too late to do so," Schmidt said. "Pennsylvanians have until Oct. 23 to register to vote in the Nov. 7 election and until Oct. 31 to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot."

Voters can also use the online voter registration system to confirm their registration status prior to the deadline. The site provides county election office contact information and a polling place locator.

Pennsylvanians wishing to register to vote in the Nov. 7 election must be:

• A U.S. citizen for at least one month before the election.
• A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which the person wants to register and vote for at least 30 days before the election.
• At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the election.

In addition to registering online, eligible Pennsylvanians can register by mail or in person at the following locations: 

• their county voter registration office,  
• county assistance offices,  
• Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program offices,  
• Armed Forces recruitment centers,  
• county clerk of orphans' courts or marriage license offices,  
• area agencies on aging,  
• county mental health and intellectual disabilities offices,  
• student disability services offices of the State System of Higher Education,  
• special education offices in high schools,
• Americans with Disabilities Act-mandated complementary paratransit providers, and
• Department of Transportation (PennDOT) driver and photo license centers.  

New this fall at all PennDOT driver and photo license centers is a form of automatic voter registration, which provides eligible Pennsylvanians with a built-in way to apply to register to vote when they obtain a new driver's license or ID card or renew their existing identification. The Shapiro Administration launched the automatic registration initiative in September as part of its continued commitment to ensuring free, fair, and secure elections.

Pennsylvania voters have multiple options to cast their ballot, including voting by mail or voting in person on Election Day at the polls, which will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.