About Voter Rights
The following is information about voting rights and opportunities of individuals with disabilities and individuals 65 years of age or older.  Federal and State law include provisions that make accommodations to voters who have disabilities and certain voters who are at least 65 years of age.

Hours of Operation at Polling Places on Election Day
Polling places are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Voter Identification
Only first time voters and voters voting at a new precinct for the first time are required to show ID when voting.  The following are approved forms of identification:

Approved forms of photo ID (ID must be valid)
PA Driver’s License or PA State ID Card issued by PennDOT
ID issued by any other Pennsylvania agency
ID issued by the US Government
US Passport
US Armed Forces ID
Student ID
Employee ID

Approved forms of non photo ID (ID must include your name and current address)
Voter’s identification card issued by the County Elections Office
Non-photo ID issued by Pennsylvania
Non-photo ID issued by the US Government
Firearm permit
Current bank statement
Current pay check
Current  government check

Assistance In Voting At The Polling Place
Under Federal and Pennsylvania law, a voter with a disability that prevents the voter from entering the voting booth or using the election system used by the county, or that prevents the voter from being able to read or understand the ballot and election instructions and explanations, has the right to select a person of the voter’s choice (except the voter’s employer, an agent of the employer, an officer or agent of the voter’s union, or the judge of elections) to enter the voting booth or voting compartment with the voter to assist them in voting. Before doing so, the voter whose voter registration record does not include notation of the voter’s need for assistance will have to complete and sign a form provided by the elections officials at the polling place.

Absentee Voting
Any registered voter who, because of illness or physical disability; observance of a religious holiday; absence from municipality due to work duties, vacation, or school; or election duties is unable to attend his or her polling place is entitled to apply for and vote by Absentee Ballot. The County Board of Elections must receive an application for absentee ballot no later than 5:00 P.M. on the Tuesday before Election Day.  The voted absentee ballot must be received by the County Board of Elections no later than 8:00 P.M. on Election Day in person by the voter, or through the mail.  Postmarks do not count.

In emergency situations such as an unexpected illness or physical disability and last minute absence following the absentee ballot application deadline of 5:00 P.M. on the Tuesday before the election can request an Emergency Absentee Ballot.  An Emergency Application for Absentee Ballot must be submitted no later than 8:00 P.M. on Election Day. The County Board of Elections must receive the voted Emergency Absentee Ballot no later than 8:00 P.M. on Election Day. Subject to submission of information required by law, an absentee voter may receive necessary assistance in completing the absentee ballot application and ballot.

Mail-in Voting
Any registered voter is entitled to apply for and vote by Mail-in Ballot. The County Board of Elections must receive an application for mail-in ballot no later than 5:00 P.M. on the Tuesday before Election Day.  The voted mail-in ballot must be received by the County Board of Elections no later than 8:00 P.M. on Election Day in person by the voter, or through the mail.  Postmarks do not count.

The voter has the option to chose permanent mail-in ballot status.  If the voter choses permanent mail-in ballot status they will receive a mail-in ballot for all elections in the calendar year as well as any special elections until February of the following year.  By the first Monday in February of the following year new mail-in applications will be sent to permanent mail-in voters to re-apply and re-submit to retain permanent status for that year.

Voting By Alternative Ballot
A voter with a disability or who is at least 65 years of age, and who is assigned to vote at a polling place that has been deemed by the County Board of Elections to be inaccessible, has the right under Federal law to apply for and vote by Alternative Ballot. An Alternative Ballot is a paper ballot that resembles an Absentee Ballot and may be delivered to the County Board of Elections in person, by an authorized representative, or through the U.S. Mail. Except in case of an emergency, a voter who qualifies for an Alternative Ballot must submit an application to the County Board of Elections no later than 5:00 P.M. on the Tuesday before Election Day. The County Board of Elections must receive the vote Alternative Ballot no later than 8:00 P.M. on Election Day. A voter completing an Alternative Ballot may receive necessary assistance in completing the ballot.

Assistance For Persons Who Are Deaf Or Hearing Impaired
For persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, users may call TTY: 800-654-5984 or VOICE: 800-654-5988. They should ask to speak to the Bureau of Elections and Notaries at 717-787-5280.