The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is fast approaching. Below are a set of instructions to follow if you expect to be unable to vote in person on election day, November 6th. You can also review the instructions provided by the county here: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/elections/absentee-ballots.aspx
If you need to file an absentee ballot, there are two steps you need to take:
Step #1 – Submit an Application for an Absentee Ballot to the Elections Division of Allegheny County. This Application must be received by Tuesday, October 30th.
Step #2 – Upon receipt of the Application, the Elections Division will mail or hand over an Absentee Ballot. You must then return the completed ballot to the Election Department. The deadline for returning the ballot is Friday, November 2nd.
You can vote by MAIL or IN PERSON.
To Vote by MAIL
Fill out an absentee ballot application. You can download and print one out from:
http://www.dosimages.pa.gov/pdf/AbsenteeBallotApplication.pdf
You will need to include your Pennsylvania driver’s license number, your PennDOT photo ID number, or the last four digits of your social security number. If none of these are available, you must include a photocopy of another acceptable photo ID.
Mail your completed application to:
Division of Elections – Absentee Voting
Allegheny County
542 Forbes Avenue, Room 604
Pittsburgh PA 15219-2953
A Ballot will then be mailed to you, which you will need to fill out and return to the same address.
To Vote IN PERSON
Visit the Division of Elections in Room 604 at the City-County Building at 542 Forbes Ave in Pittsburgh Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Just go up in the elevator and the door to the Elections Division will be straight ahead when the doors open. Ask for an Absentee Ballot Application and make sure you bring an acceptable form of ID listed above. You can fill out the ballot immediately, seal it in the envelope provided, and then give it back to Elections Division personnel.
Emergency Voting:
If after the deadline, you learn that you will be unavailable to vote in person, you can petition the court for an emergency ballot. Go to the Elections Division and ask for an emergency petition. They will direct you to the judge handling election issues. If approved, you can then return to the Elections Division and vote.
If you applied for or submitted an absentee ballot but discover that you will be able to vote in person on November 6th after all, you must do so. You will need to inform election personnel that you are voiding your absentee vote and proceed to vote in person normally.