As the legislators return to Harrisburg for the remaining fall session days, one date will continue to be on the minds’ of both senators and representatives. On November 4, Pennsylvania’s General Election will determine who will hold the governor’s office and the majorities in both the state House and Senate.

In these final days of campaigning, incumbents are feeling the pressure to not make a move that would negatively impact their chances on Election Day. No doubt, challengers are watching their opponents’ moves closely, as are the voters. Running parallel with the political implications of the legislative cycle is each party’s voter turnout model. Ask any political consultant and they will tell you the difference between winning and losing is all about game-day turnout. This makes the upcoming voter registration a major milestone of the fall political season, and the October 6 deadline for voter registration is fast approaching.

There are several different ways that a person can register to vote in Pennsylvania:

  1. In person by going to a county voter registration office;
  2. At any PENNDOT photo license center; or
  3. Through many other state government offices.

It also isn’t unusual to find voter registration forms at a legislator’s district office and at the many county fairs and community activities throughout the commonwealth. Both the Republican and Democrat Party headquarters often have the forms on hand and include them as part of their year-round outreach efforts.

To find out where your County Voter Registration Office is, follow the link below:

http://www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1174076&parentname=ObjMgr&parentid=1&mode=2

To obtain a Voter Registration Mail Application, follow the link below:

http://www.dosimages.pa.gov/pdf/OnlineVoterRegFormBlank.pdf

If you are unable to attend your polling place in person on Election Day, you may be able to cast your vote through an absentee ballot. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is October 28 and the county must receive it by October 31.. A voter must apply to the County Board of Elections for an absentee ballot. The County Board of Elections will then send a paper absentee ballot to the voter.

To obtain an Absentee Ballot Application follow the link below:

http://www.dosimages.pa.gov/pdf/AbsenteeBallotApplication.pdf