Voter registration deadline is Monday
Those who plan to vote in the May 19 primary election must be registered by Monday, and the Washington County elections office on the second floor of the Courthouse Square office building will remain open until 5 p.m. that day to accept hand-delivered voter registration forms.
Registered voters who have moved or changed their name or party affiliation must also notify the elections office by Monday. Pennsylvania has what is known as a “closed” primary, meaning individuals must be registered members of the Democratic or Republican party to vote in that party’s primary.
On the ballot this year are candidates seeking nomination to local and county office and seats on the state appellate courts. Nominees will represent their parties in the Nov. 3 election.
Voter qualifications include being: a United States citizen at least one month before the primary; a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district at least 30 days before the primary; and 18 years of age on or before the day of the primary.
Registration-by-mail forms also can be used to register or to change name, address or party affiliation. These forms are available at armed service recruitment centers, Area Agencies on Aging, as well as several branches of the U.S. Postal Service and state, county and municipal government offices.
Registration-by-mail forms must be postmarked by April 20 to be processed for the May 19 primary. A registration form also may be obtained by visiting the www.VotesPA.com website and following the quick link to “Register to Vote.”A Spanish version of the site is available by clicking on the language selector at the top of each page.
Once the form is completed and returned to the elections office, approved applicants will receive a certificate showing municipality, ward and/or election district and assigned polling place. Verifying identification on the voter’s form can take as long as two weeks.
Washington County residents who have questions or would like to verify their registration status should call the elections office at 724-228-6750 or visit the elections office website, accessible through the home page www.co.washington.pa.us under the heading “Government.”
More information about voter registration is available by calling 1-877-VOTESPA.