How to vote in Election 2020: A user's guide

This guide will be updated as Election Day approaches. If you have questions not addressed here, please contact Tribune-Review staff writer Julia Felton at jfelton@triblive.com.

Editor’s note: An earlier version contained incorrect information about mail-in ballots. Voters sign the back of the mailing envelope, not the ballot itself.

The basics

• The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3

• Register to vote by 5 p.m. Oct. 19

• Apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot by 5 p.m. Oct. 27

• Return mail-in or absentee ballot by Nov. 3

The envelope must be postmarked by 8 p.m. You may hand-deliver the ballots to your county election office by 8 p.m. that day.

Voting in person — same as it ever was

• Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

• All polling places in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties will be open. The consolidation of polling places only applied to the primary. Allegheny and Westmoreland counties have hired extra poll workers.

• To find out your polling place, click here for the state’s official Polling Place Search Tool. You also can call 877-VOTESPA (877-868-3772). (The Polling Place Search Tool is found via votespa.com. Click on “Voting at a Polling Place” and then go to “Look up Your Polling Place Location.”)

• Voters are asked to wear face coverings and observe standard pandemic safety measures. See “Covid-19 Precautions at the Polls” section below.

How to vote by mail

• First, apply for a mail-in ballot. Go online at VotesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot. If you are unable to apply online, request a paper application from the Department of State by sending an email to ra-voterreg@pa.gov. You also can contact the county election office or apply in person at the office.

• Once your application is verified and accepted, the county mails you a ballot.

• On the ballot, read the instructions carefully. Use blue or black ink, or a black lead pencil, to fill out your choices. Place it in the secrecy envelope that is labelled “Official Election Ballot.” Put that envelope in the mailing envelope. Sign the Voter’s Declaration on the back of the envelope and complete the other requested information. Mail it. (No need for postage — it’s prepaid.)

The ballot must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Elections offices will accept ballots in the mail through Nov. 6, but they must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

What is a “secrecy envelope”? As described by The Associated Press: An envelope “that holds the ballot inside the return envelope and theoretically shields election officials and people authorized to watch vote counting from knowing a voter’s choices.”

• Voters may return their ballots to county elections offices. In addition, Allegheny County offers various drop-off locations on the three weekends before Election Day (described in this article and on the county website). Voters also can apply for a ballot on the spot and return it there. In Westmoreland County, the ballots can be hand-delivered only to one location at the county courthouse.

The Allegheny County Elections Office is located in the County Office Building, 542 Forbes Ave. (Room 601), Pittsburgh, PA 15219, in Downtown Pittsburgh. It’s open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telephone: 412-350-4500

The Westmoreland County Election Bureau is located in the Westmoreland County Courthouse, 2 North Main St. (Ste 109), Greensburg, PA 15601, in the center of Greensburg. It’s open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Telephone: 724-830-3150

Mail-in ballot FAQs

• Can I drop off my mail-in ballot at a polling place?

No. You can, however, take your entire mail-in ballot packet — the ballot plus all envelopes — to your polling place. There, a poll worker will void the mail-in ballot. You can then vote in person.

• What if I apply for a mail-in ballot, receive it — but later decide I’d rather vote in-person?

As above, take the entire ballot packet — the ballot plus all envelopes — to your polling place. Give the mail-in ballot to poll workers, who will void it. Then you can vote in person instead.

If you don’t have your mail-in ballot with you, you can go to the polling place and vote by provisional ballot. The mail-in ballot can be voided later.

• What’s the difference between an absentee ballot and a mail-in ballot?

In practice, not much. Mail-in ballots are now available to any registered voter in the commonwealth. Voters do not need to provide a reason for requesting a mail-in ballot. Absentee ballots are available to people who are unable to physically attend the polling place on Election Day because of a specific reason, which must be disclosed to receive an absentee ballot. For more information, click here.

• What should I do if I apply for a mail-in ballot, but never receive it?

You can still go to your polling place and vote by provisional ballot.

• Can I track the progress of my mail-in ballot?

Yes, at PAVoterServices.pa.gov. If you apply for a mail-in ballot online, you can provide your email address for notifications about your ballot’s progress.

• How do I know my mail-in ballot has been counted?

By tracking your ballot online at PAVoterServices.pa.gov.

• Can someone else return my mail-in or absentee ballot?

You are required to return your own ballot. In the case of an emergency that prohibits you from doing so, people with disabilities can fill out the form at VotesPA.com to authorize someone else to return your ballot.

• When will mail-in and absentee ballots begin shipping?

Allegheny County began delivering mail-in and absentee ballots to the post office on Sept. 23. Approximately 20,000 ballots were delivered to the post office that day, with another 50,000 delivered to the post office on Sept. 24.

• What is “over-the-counter voting”?

Over-the-counter voting is when you go to the Elections Division and apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot in person. You can fill out your ballot there and return it to the elections staff.

• When and where will over-the-counter voting be available in Allegheny County?

Over-the-counter voting is available at the Elections Division office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Allegheny County also announced other sites that will offer over-the-counter voting services on the three weekends before the election, beginning Oct. 10. Click here to see the list of sites.

• Do I need identification to vote?

Only if you’re registering to vote for the first time or if this is the first time you’ve voted at your precinct. Approved forms of identification include a Pennsylvania driver’s license, PennDOT ID card, passport or student ID.

• Where can I report problems if I encounter issues voting?

You can submit complaints at PAVoterServices.pa.gov.

Covid-19 precautions at the polls

The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued guidance for safely voting in person on Election Day. The Department of Health highlighted social distancing, mask wearing and disenfecting polling places.

Voters are asked to abide by covid-19 protocols at the polls. These precautions include wearing coverings and social distancing. Voters are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer. Voters may also bring their own blue or black pen to limit touching shared items.

Voters can not be denied at the polls for not complying with the face covering mandate, according to Allegheny County Director of Communications Amie Downs.

The state has sent thousands of precinct infection protection kits to the counties. These kits include masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. Counties are also preparing by obtaining additional personal protective equipment.

In Allegheny County, face masks, face shields, gloves and hand sanitizer will be provided for poll workers. Polling places will be equipped with cleaning products, hand sanitizer and face masks for voters. County officials said they also plan to have plexiglass barriers at check-in tables.

Online references

Allegheny County: alleghenycounty.us/elections

Westmoreland County: co.westmoreland.pa.us/251/Elections

Pennsylvania: pavoterservices.pa.gov and votespa.com

Vote Safe Pennsylvania, at pa.votesafe.us, is a bipartisan information source

The League of Women Voters Pennsylvania, at palwv.org, offers general information