Pennsylvania Extends Absentee Ballot Deadline Because of Sandy Disruptions

Because of the disruptions caused by Hurricane Sandy, which forced the closing of many state and county offices, Pennsylvania has extended the deadline to submit absentee ballots for the Nov. 6 General Election by two days.

The Pennsylvania Department of State, which overseas elections, released the following statement:

Gov. Tom Corbett ordered the deadline for county election offices to receive applications for absentee ballots to be extended, on a county-by-county basis, depending on whether the county courthouse was closed for business any day this week due to Hurricane Sandy.

The deadline for voters to have absentee ballot applications to county election offices is October 30.  However, that deadline will be extended one day for each day a voter’s county courthouse is closed this week, but no later than Friday, November 2, by 5 p.m.

“I urge voters to mail applications immediately, and county election officials to process these applications and get absentee ballots to voters as quickly as possible,” said Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele, whose department oversees elections.  Aichele noted voters may mail absentee ballot applications to their county election office, or deliver the application in person.

Voters who become physically disabled or ill, or who learn they must be absent from your municipality of residence because of your business, duties, or occupation, can file for an emergency absentee ballot, by completing and filing with the Court of Common Pleas in their county an emergency absentee ballot application.

Information on filing absentee ballot applications is available at www.votespa.com.