Early absentee voting in Pennsylvania: What you need to know

PITTSBURGH — Election Day isn’t until Nov. 3, and early absentee voting for Pennsylvanians was scheduled to start Sept. 14. The state, however, has not yet finalized its ballot, less than eight weeks from Election Day.

>>>DETAILS: No Pennsylvania counties able to send out ballots, delaying election

“If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you should request this ballot type, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot,” Votes PA’s website says.

>>RELATED STORY: Voting in Pennsylvania: What you need to know before Election Day 2020

To vote by absentee ballot, you must be registered to vote. (CLICK HERE to register.)

Applications for absentee ballots must be received by your county election office by 5 p.m. on Oct. 27. Voted ballots must be received by your county election office by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 -- postmarks are not enough.

So, who’s eligible to apply for an absentee ballot?

• College students who are not registered to vote at their school address
• People whose work or vacation take them away from the municipality where they live
• Those with a physical disability or illness that prevents them from going to the polling place
• Members of the military
• People who may have a conflict due to the celebration of a religious holiday
• Inmates who haven’t been convicted of a felony

Voters can apply for an absentee ballot online, by mail or in person.

To apply online, CLICK HERE. To apply by mail, download and fill out an absentee ballot application form from votespa.com/absentee and mail or deliver it to your county election office. You can apply in person by stopping by your county election office (CLICK HERE to find one).

Lawmakers worry USPS slowdown will impact absentee, mail-in voting in November

Cox Media Group