Protect Your Right To Vote

The attorneys at Galfand Berger care about EVERY citizen having a voice in our great country.  That is why we were concerned when Pennsylvania recently passed voter ID legislation.  This law could harm any voter who lacks proper ID on Election Day.  Let your vote count!  Make sure you are not turned away when you show up to vote on November 6.

Here’s what you need to know (information courtesy of our friends at the AFL-CIO):

REGISTERING TO VOTE

In Pennsylvania, the deadline to register to vote is 30 days prior to each election. Applications received after that date will be processed for the next primary, special, municipal or general election.

• Register to vote at a county voter registration office, at many state government offices or other designated sites such as state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) photo license centers.
• For information on county registration offices and other locations where voter registration is possible, go to www.votespa.com. You can also call 1-877-VOTESPA.
• Mail your voter registration form or hand deliver it to your county voter registration office.
• Visit https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/  to verify your registration has been received and that you are registered. Be sure to verify your registration before the deadline to register.

VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS

For the Nov 6th general election, ALL voters must show photo ID to vote.          

• All photo IDs must contain an expiration date that is current, unless noted otherwise. You may be entitled to get an ID free of charge at a PennDOT driver license center for voting purposes.
• To find the center nearest you, and learn what documentation you will need to get a photo ID, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us/or call the state’s Voter ID Hotline at 1-877-868-3772. 

ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF ID

• Photo IDs issued by the U.S. federal government or the commonwealth of Pennsylvania: 1) Pennsylvania driver^‘s license or non-driver^‘s license photo ID (IDs are valid for voting purposes 12 months past expiration date); 2) Valid U.S. passport; or 3) U.S. military ID for active-duty or retired military (a military or veteran^‘s ID must designate an expiration date or designate that the expiration date is indefinite). Military dependents^‘ ID must contain an expiration date.
• Employee photo ID issued by the federal, Pennsylvania, county or municipal government.
• Photo ID cards from an accredited Pennsylvania public or private institution of higher learning.
• Photo ID cards issued by a Pennsylvania care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences or personal care homes.

ABSENTEE VOTING

• You need a reason for voting absentee. Find a full list of acceptable reasons to vote absentee and an absentee ballot application at www.votespa.com. You must provide proof of identification to vote absentee.
• You can apply to vote absentee in person or by mailing in an absentee ballot application to your county election office. You can find your local county election office at www.votespa.com or by calling 1-877-VOTESPA.

PROTECT YOUR VOTE

If you have a voting rights problem, talk to the chief election official or a voting rights volunteer at the polls or call the toll-free nationwide Election Protection Hotline at 1 -866-OUR-VOTE.