Here are important dates for absentee voting, registration before special election
The Washington County elections office is gearing up for the second consecutive year in which it will be preparing for three voting days instead of the typical two.
When then-state Sen. Guy Reschenthaler resigned his office as he was about to be sworn as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he set in motion many deadlines leading up to the April 2 special election.
Peters Township is the sole community in Washington County that is part of the 37th District, which includes Pittsburgh’s South Hills and the airport corridor in Allegheny County.
The selection of Democrat Pam Iovino, 62, and Republican D. Raja, 53, both of Mt. Lebanon, by their respective parties last Sunday took place in advance of Feb. 11, the last day to file nomination certificates and papers.
Independents and third-party candidates must also abide by the Feb. 11 cutoff when filing nomination papers and related documents.
Wanda Murren, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of State, wrote in response to an email inquiry that independents have until that date to gather 1,820 signatures on nomination papers.
“We cannot print our ballots until we receive certification from the Department of State,” said Melanie Ostrander, Washington County acting elections director.
Because of the distance involved, the elections office expects to be handling military and overseas civilian ballots this month.
Those who plan to vote by absentee ballot can apply for them until 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, but elections officials ask applicants not to wait until the last minute.
Ostrander reminded voters that the voted ballots must be inside her office by 5 p.m. Friday, March 29. A postmark by that date on a ballot that is received after the deadline does not comply with state election law.
Monday, March 4, is the last day to register to vote before the special election.
In addition to the general election and primary, the region had a special election in March 2018 when Democrat Conor Lamb was elected to Congress, replacing Congressman Tim Murphy, who resigned after being caught up in an adultery scandal.