PathWays PA Policy Blog

UPDATED 4/8/2020 - PA PRIMARY MOVED TO JUNE 2, 2020 Due to Coronavirus, Pennsylvania delayed their primary until June 2, 2020. Please read our blog post here for information based on the new date . Please remember that for the first time, Pennsylvanians are able to vote by mail. Read below to learn more or visit here . ***

General elections are on November 5, 2019. If you live in Pennsylvania and are eligible to vote, you needed to be registered by October 9. If you live in another state, please visit our site via  Rock the Vote  to find your state's information. If you are not sure if you are registered in PA,  you can confirm your registration status in the Pennsylvania voter registration database . ( If you missed the deadline, register now for the primaries next year!  Y ou can register through Pennsylvania's  website , via  our site powered by Rock the Vote , or by  mailing in an application .) *** If you have any issues on Election Day, please call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  Issues  may include (but are not limited to): being told the wrong date/time to vote; not being allowed to cast a  provisional ballot ; being intimidated or challenged at the polls.  Be sure to bring this number with you when you vote! *** Who Am I Voting For? On Novem...

If you live in Pennsylvania, please make a plan to vote in the primaries on May 21. You can see a list of upcoming elections in all states here . Please use and share our guide to make it easier to prepare for Election Day. *** If you have any issues on Election Day, please call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  Issues  may include (but are not limited to): being told the wrong date/time to vote; not being allowed to cast a  provisional ballot ; being intimidated or challenged at the polls.  Be sure to bring this number with you when you vote! *** Who is running for office? In Pennsylvania, voters will choose candidates for judges, school boards, and local government positions. The candidates who win will go on to the General Election in November. You can only vote for candidates running in your party in the Pennsylvania primaries unless there is a special election. Several districts will be holding special elections on May 21 - you can find the list here . There are a...

Updated October 30, 2018: Make a plan to be a voter! There are a few places you can go to check out your ballot and learn more about the people running for office in your area: Vote411.org , a project of the League of Women Voters Ballotpedia , a digital encyclopedia of American politics and elections. BallotReady , which lists every ballot and referendum and shows information on the candidates. All sites offer nonpartisan information to help you prepare for the election. You can also use Vote.org  (another nonpartisan organization) to make sure you are registered to vote , find your polling place, and more. You can even sign up for election reminders to make sure you get out to the polls. Please note: during the November  General Election , anyone who is registered to vote, no matter their party, is eligible to cast a ballot. Independent and third party voters are able to vote . Voters may choose anyone on the ballot they wish - they do not have to vote for some...

Primary elections are just around the corner, and if you live in Pennsylvania and are eligible to vote, you need to be registered by April 16. (If you live in another state, please visit Rock the Vote to find your state's information.) [EDIT (May 1, 2018): If you missed the April deadline to register for the primaries, get a jump on registration for the General Election in November. Head here  to register online right away!] *** If you have any issues on Election Day, please call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  Issues  may include (but are not limited to): being told the wrong date/time to vote; not being allowed to cast a  provisional ballot ; being intimidated or challenged at the polls.  Be sure to bring this number with you when you vote! *** Who is Running for Office? On May 15, you can vote for a primary candidate to become Pennsylvania's Governor and Lieutenant Governor. You can also vote for candidates for the US Senate, US House of Representatives, Sta...

Municipal elections provide an opportunity to make a big impact at the local level. In Pennsylvania, primary elections for local school boards, the Commonwealth Court, and other offices will happen May 16. Make a plan and get out to vote! *** If you have any issues on Election Day, please call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  Issues may include (but are not limited to): being told the wrong date/time to vote; not being allowed to cast a provisional ballot ; being intimidated or challenged at the polls.  Be sure to bring this number with you when you vote! *** The following information is for people who are registered to vote in Pennsylvania. If you live in another state, or have questions that are not answered in this post, please visit https://g.co/kgs/OdzMlN . Who is Running for Office? On May 16, you can vote for school board, state and local judges, and several other races. You may be able to find a list of people running for office at Ballotpedia . Will I Need Vote...

Election Day is November 8, and as many of us prepare to go to the polls, the Harvard Kennedy School is reporting that making a plan (and asking others to do so) is the best way to increase turnout. "Research by Harvard Kennedy School Associate Professor Todd Rogers demonstrates that nudging voters to formulate a voting plan a few days in advance of an election will indeed increase turnout. In fact, it doubled the impact of the next best “typical” get out the vote tactic." So, what's your plan? The national, nonpartisan Election Protection coalition suggests these steps (you can download them here): Make sure you are registered to vote. If you are not registered, you can register here (although depending on the state you live in, you may be too late for this election). You can verify your voter registration here . Know when and where you are voting. You can find your polling place here  (or by googling "polling place") and find out when the polls are...

Whether you're obsessed with the election or ready for it to be over, your vote still matters on Election Day. As we approach November 8, here's some information to help you prepare for casting your ballot. *** If you have any issues on Election Day, please call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  Issues may include (but are not limited to): being told the wrong date/time to vote; not being allowed to cast a provisional ballot ; being intimidated or challenged at the polls.  Be sure to bring this number with you when you vote! *** The following information is for people who are registered to vote in Pennsylvania. If you live in another state, or have questions that are not answered in this post, please visit http://www.vote411.org  or  https://g.co/kgs/OdzMlN . Who is Running for Office? On November 8, you can vote for President, US Senator, State Attorney General, and several other races. Pennsylvania will also have at least one ballot question regarding the ret...

If you live in Pennsylvania, don't forget to vote on April 26! It is a critical time to cast your ballot on the issues that affect you. Your vote matters more than ever, especially when it comes to the policies that affect women, girls, and families like the ones we serve every day. The following information is for people who are registered to vote in Pennsylvania. If you live in another state, or have questions that are not answered in this post, please visit http://www.vote411.org/ . ***If you have any issues on Election Day, please call 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Be sure to bring this number with you to the polls!*** Who is Running for Office? On April 26, you can vote in the primaries for President, US Senator, State Attorney General, and many other races. Some municipalities may also have special ballot questions. You may be able to find a list of people running on your ballot at http://www.vote411.org/ballot . This ballot may not include local races and delegates - check inf...

If you live in Pennsylvania, don't forget to vote today! Your vote matters more than ever, especially when it comes to the policies that affect women, girls, and families like the ones we serve every day. If you need more information on where you are registered or who is on the ballot, please check out our post from last week . You can learn more about PA elections and get voting questions answered at www.votespa.com . Votes PA even shows  demonstrations of the voting machines in your county! If you have any problems at the polls, please call 1-866-OURVOTE. Interested in PathWays PA blog posts on similar topics? 9/22/15 - Voting: It's Up To You 7/7/15 - So What Did the Doctor Find Out about American Democracy? 8/26/15 - #WeMatter on Women's Equality Day: Tweet Storm at 1PM and 9PM

If you live in Pennsylvania, don't forget to vote on November 3! Your vote matters more than ever, especially when it comes to the policies that affect women, girls, and families like the ones we serve every day. The following information is for people who are registered to vote in Pennsylvania. If you live in another state, or have questions that are not answered in this post, please visit  http://www.vote411.org/ . Who is Running for Office? On November 3, statewide elections will be held for positions on the State Supreme and Superior Courts. There may also be municipal elections (such as for mayor and City Council) and school board elections in your town. Some municipalities will also have special ballot questions. You may be able to find a list of people running on your ballot at  http://www.vote411.org/ballot . Will I Need Voter ID? IN MOST CASES, YOU WILL NOT NEED IDENTIFICATION TO VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. The Voter ID law has been overturned and is n...

Don't forget to go to the polls on November 4! Your vote matters more than ever, especially when it comes to the policies that affect women, girls, and families like the ones we serve every day. The following information is for people who are registered to vote in Pennsylvania. **Updated: there is a printable PA know your rights guide available.** If you live in New Jersey, please visit  http://nj.gov/state/elections/index.html for more information (including information on voting by mail ). If you live in Delaware, please visit  https://ivote.de.gov/ .  If you live in another state, or have questions that are not answered in this post, please visit  http://www.vote411.org/ .  Who is Running for Office? On November 4, you will be able to vote for candidates running for Governor, the State Legislature, and the US House of Representatives. There may also be special ballot questions and local elections. You can look at a sample ballot for your polli...

Please, no matter what else you are doing on May 20, if you are registered to vote in Pennsylvania, make time to get to your polling place. No matter who you vote for, vote like your future depends on it. Who is Running for Office on May 20? On May 20, you will be able to vote for primary candidates running for Governor, the State Legislature, and the US House of Representatives. There may also be special ballot questions and local elections. You can look at a sample ballot for your polling place at SmartVoter.org . Will I Need Voter ID? IN MOST CASES, YOU WILL NOT NEED IDENTIFICATION TO VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. The Voter ID law has been overturned and is no longer in effect. Only first-time voters, voters using a new polling place, and voters using absentee ballots will need to provide ID. If you are a first-time voter or if you are voting at a new polling place, you should bring an approved form of identification. To see all approved forms, visit the PA Department ...

Every election is important, and the election tomorrow is no different! If you are registered, don't forget to vote, and if you are not registered, register now so that you can vote next year! In Pennsylvania : Elections will be held for judicial and local offices You can view a copy of your ballot and find your polling place at http://www.smartvoter.org/pa/state/ Not sure if you are registered? Visit https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/VoterRegistrationStatus.aspx . Voter ID CANNOT be enforced in this election , although your polling place could ask you about ID, provide written information about it, and let you know that it may be required in the future. If you are a first-time voter at your polling location, you will need to present identification. Voters in New Jersey should visit http://nj.gov/state/elections/voting-information-voting.html .

HELP Vote for Homes! ON ELECTION DAY! The Vote for Homes! Coalition is a nonpartisan coalition registering thousands of people who are living on low incomes, including those who are homeless, living with disabilities, or are formerly incarcerated. Drivers and Assistants for Election Day are needed.  Volunteers must come through a training to help transport voters and give voter ID information. Voter Mobilization Trainings (pick one): Thursday, October 25, 2:30-4:30 pm (Snacks) or 5:30-7:30 pm (Pizza) Sunday, October 28, 2-4 pm (Snacks) Monday, October 29, 5:30-7:30 pm (Pizza) Friday, November 2, 1:30-3:30 pm (Snacks) Trainings are held at 1515 Fairmount Ave., Phila. PA 19130. RSVP at: www.voteforhomes.org  Call if you need help with transportation! HELP PITCH IN BEFORE ELECTION DAY!

From our friends at the ACLU and Vote for Homes : You do NOT need a photo ID to vote this November 6! Pennsylvania’s voter ID law will NOT be enforced for the November 6, 2012, election. You will be asked for photo ID but will still be allowed to vote regularly without it. Voters without ID should NOT be asked to vote on a provisional ballot. If this happens to you, or if you are told you can’t vote at all without photo ID, call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). Voting for the first time at your polling place? If you are voting for the first time at your polling place, you WILL need to show some form of ID, although it does NOT have to be a photo ID. Questions? Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). Accepted forms of photo ID: PA driver's license or other ID card issued by PennDOT ID issued by a PA or U.S. agency U.S. passport Military ID Student ID Employee ID Accepted non-photo IDs (must list your name and current address): Voter registration card ID issued by...