Apr 20, 2019 4 min read

New voters who need to register have until close of business Monday to do so in advance of the May 21 primary.

The April 22 deadline also applies to those who have changed their names, have moved, or plan to change their political party registration.

To qualify to vote, a person must be a United States citizen at least one month prior to the election, a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district at least 30 days before the election, and 18 years of age on or before the day of the election.

Registration-by-mail forms must be postmarked by April 22.

Those who choose to register or switch parties online technically have until 11:59 p.m. Monday, but, in the past, elections officials have advised not to wait until the last minute.

Pennsylvania conducts what is known as a “closed” primary, meaning that only registered Republicans can vote for Republican candidates, and only registered Democrats can nominate Democratic candidates. Names of nominees will appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

There are no ballot measures, special elections or referendum questions in Washington or Greene County’s upcoming election, so voting in the upcoming primary is restricted to members of the two major parties.

“We’ll be open until 5 p.m. April 22 and May 14 and 17” for hand delivery, said Melanie Ostrander, Washington County elections director.

The May dates refer to absentee ballot deadlines.

The state is encouraging voters to request absentee ballots earlier than Tuesday, May 14.

Under the state election code, applications for absentee ballots must be received no later than one week before election day.

Voted ballots must be received by the appropriate county election office by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17.

“The election code sets a tight turnaround time – just four days – between the last day Pennsylvania voters can request an absentee ballot and when their completed absentee ballot must be received,” said Acting Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said in a news release. “That’s why it’s important to request an absentee ballot well in advance to ensure the vote is received in time to be counted.”

Absentee ballots may be cast by individuals with illnesses or disabilities, individuals who will be away from their municipality on business on election day, Pennsylvania students attending out-of-state colleges or universities, and deployed members of the military.

Completed ballots may be returned in person or mailed to the voter’s county election office. The voted ballots must be received in the county office by 5 p.m. the Friday before the May 21 primary. Elections officials stress that a postmark is not sufficient.

An exception applies to absentee ballots voted by members of the military deployed overseas. These ballots only will be received until 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, by county boards of elections.

Comprehensive information about absentee ballots, including a downloadable request form, can be found at the Department of State’s website votesPA.com.

Applicants will be asked to supply basic voter registration information and to specify a reason for applying to vote absentee.

Pennsylvanians applying for an absentee ballot must provide their driver’s license or PennDOT identification number. If they do not have these cards issued by PennDOT, they must give the last four digits of their Social Security number. If a voter has neither, he or she must present a copy of an acceptable photo ID. A list of approved alternative types of identification is available at votesPA.com.

An absentee voter can designate someone else to deliver the absentee application and ballot if he or she is physically unable to do so. Certification of Designated Agent forms are also available online.

For additional information, call 1-877-VOTESPA, or 1-877-868-3772.