Absentee ballot application deadline next Tuesday

The civilian absentee ballot submission deadline is less than a week away, according to state elections officials.

All non-military absentee ballot applications must be received by county boards of elections by 5 p.m. Oct. 29. They may use a ballot or apply online.

Allegheny County Elections Division officials are encouraging voters who need an absentee ballot to apply well before that deadline.

Voters may apply online on the state’s votespa.com website for an absentee ballot to make the process faster, more convenient and more accessible.

Absentee ballots are available for voters who will be absent from their municipality on Nov.5 or those who cannot reach the polls because of an illness or physical disability.

The completed, or voted, absentee ballots must then be received by the Elections Division no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. A timely postmark is not sufficient.

According to Allegheny County Elections officials, absentee ballots applicants must provide basic voter registration information and specify the reason for applying to vote absentee. All those voting by absentee ballot will be required to provide a state driver’s license number, PennDOT ID number or the last four digits of their social security number. If none of these are available, a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID must be included. A list of approved, alternative types of identification is available on the Absentee Ballot page of VotesPA.com. People also may call the county’s Elections Division at 412-350-4520 for more information.

Voters wishing to submit their applications in person can do so at the Elections Division between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is at 542 Forbes Ave. in Room 601 of the County Office Building in Downtown Pittsburgh.