PHILADELPHIA – With Pennsylvania’s deadline to register to vote less than one week away, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and local officials today to visit Philadelphia’s election warehouse and learn about the city’s satellite election offices, which are open seven days a week through Election Day to assist voters.
“The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to making sure every Pennsylvania voter has the opportunity to make their voice heard and ensure that every eligible vote can be counted,” said Davis. “The City of Philadelphia has opened satellite election offices in each council district, and election workers are ready to help eligible residents get registered ahead of the Oct. 20 deadline and can provide mail ballots on demand, if voters want to request, complete and return their ballot in one visit.”
“The Nov. 4 election is coming up in less than three weeks,” said Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt. “Now is the time to register to vote if you’re eligible and decide whether you want to vote by mail ballot or in person. Your voice matters because you will help choose your local officials, who make decisions every day – on your behalf – that shape your communities.”
The deadline for Pennsylvanians to register to vote in the upcoming Nov. 4 election is Monday, Oct. 20.
To be eligible to vote, an individual must be:
- a U.S. citizen for at least 30 days before the election,
- a resident of Pennsylvania for at least 30 days before the election, and
- at least 18 years old on the day of the election.
In addition to the officials, two voters spoke at today’s event – a 93-year-old Philadelphia resident who has been voting for more than 70 years, and a high school student who is eligible to register and cast a ballot for the first time this November.
Eligible Pennsylvania voters can register using the Online Voter Registration (OVR) system, or they can apply in person at various government offices, including Philadelphia’s 10 satellite election offices, where any city voter can also request their mail ballot, complete it, and return it all in one visit.
“Our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard,” said Philadelphia City Commissioners Chairman Omar Sabir. “With satellite election offices open across every council district, it’s easier than ever to register and vote. I encourage all Philadelphians to get registered by October 20 and make their voices count.”
"Regardless of the method they choose to vote or who they choose to support, voters should recognize that even though the president is not on the ballot, this is still an important election that they need to make their voice heard in,” said Philadelphia City Commissioners Vice Chair Lisa Deeley. "There are many offices on the ballot this year, and the outcome of those races will have as much or greater impact on them, their families, and neighbors’ everyday lives than any national election. I encourage all citizens to vote in every office up and down the ballot and pay particular attention to each and every retention race."
"We encourage voters to visit our satellite election offices to get registered and receive their mail ballots," said Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein. "We established these offices across the city to bring voting resources directly into the community and make voting more accessible for all Philadelphians."
Any registered voter in Pennsylvania can choose to vote by mail ballot; the deadline to apply is Oct. 28. Those ballots must be received by the county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Philadelphia’s satellite election offices – as well as county elections offices across the state – also allow voters to request and complete their mail ballot, all in one convenient visit.