DOS: Court Case Does Not Affect Your Option to Submit A No-Excuse Mail-In Ballot Application
“[Friday’s] ruling on the use of mail-in ballots has no immediate effect on mail-in voting. Go ahead and request your mail-in ballot for the May primary election.” Read the Full Statement from the Pennsylvania Department of State.
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court declared Pennsylvania’s no excuse vote-by-mail law unconstitutional late last week. But since Gov. Tom Wolf immediately appealed the lower court’s decision to the state Supreme Court, voters can still apply for a mail-in ballot without having a legally approved excuse: being in the military, away from home, ill or disabled.
The Lehigh County Voter Registration Office has begun mailing Ballot Applications to voters who requested to have their names placed on the permanent voter list. Not sure if you are a permanent voter?
Check your voter status here.
The status page will verify that you are registered, your party registration and if you are a permanent voter. After you apply for a mail-in ballot, this page will show if the application for a mail-in ballot has been approved. You may apply for your mail-in ballot on line, instead of using the paper application.
Additional information on the status page, that will be especially important for this year’s election, your voting districts, including:
∎ County Precinct ∎ US Congressional District ∎ State Senate ∎ State House.
If you decide you prefer to vote in person, you do not need to return the application.