Absentee ballot deadline approaching

The deadline for Pennsylvania residents to apply for an absentee ballot for the Nov. 4 General Election is Tuesday, Oct. 28.

These ballots must be completed and submitted to the county board of elections by Friday, Oct. 31.

Military service members may apply for an absentee ballot at any time. Completed absentee ballots from military service members must be received by the county board of elections no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 31. Members of the military do not need to be registered to vote in order to request an absentee ballot.

Pennsylvania residents voting for the first time and those voting in a new precinct who would like to apply for an absentee ballot must provide identification to the county board of elections in order to receive a ballot.

Applicants who are first-time voters or who are voting in a new precinct may either submit a photocopy of an accepted form of identification with their application or submit identification to the board of elections before absentee ballots are counted.

People who are not yet registered to vote at all or who need to submit a change of address must do so by Monday, Oct. 6.

For more information, contact your county voters services office or visit the Pennsylvania Department of State Web site. You can also visit the VotesPA Web site.