Voting is in full swing in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, with counties across the state beginning to mail out ballots, offer over-the-counter voting in election offices, and open other avenues for voting. In Philadelphia, the state’s largest city, voters have already returned 15,000 mail-in ballots, which is about 10% of the total number that have been mailed out. The city has also opened seven satellite election offices to allow for in-person voting seven days a week. In Allegheny County, home to Pittsburgh, over-the-counter voting has begun in the county office building, and residents who applied for mail-in ballots are starting to receive them in the mail.
Montgomery County, the state’s third-most populous county, has started mailing out ballots as well and will be opening eight satellite election offices where voters can register to vote, apply for a mail-in ballot, or complete a mail-in ballot on the spot. Additionally, the county will be launching a mobile voter services van to help increase accessibility to the voting process. Bucks County, the fourth-most populous county in the state, has also begun mailing out mail-in ballots and will be opening ballot drop boxes to collect completed ballots. In Centre County, the elections board has voted to open a satellite election office on the campus of Penn State University.
The Department of State has identified 20 counties where ballots are available, including Union County, where over-the-counter voting began this week. Mail-in ballots are set to be mailed out on Friday from the county’s printing vendor. More than 1.45 million voters have applied for a mail-in ballot ahead of the November 5th election, with Democrats outnumbering Republicans by more than two-to-one. Nearly 9 million people have registered to vote, a number similar to the 2020 presidential election. Luzerne County has taken security measures ahead of the election, placing large rocks outside the building that houses the bureau of elections to prevent a potential vehicle attack. These security measures were recommended by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which conducted an assessment of potential vulnerabilities and suggested ways to strengthen security.
With the election rapidly approaching, voters in Pennsylvania are taking advantage of the various voting options available to them, from mail-in ballots to over-the-counter voting and ballot drop boxes. Counties across the state are making efforts to ensure that the voting process is accessible and secure, with measures such as satellite election offices, mobile voter services vans, and enhanced security measures. The high number of mail-in ballot applications indicates a strong interest in voting by mail, particularly among Democratic voters. As the state prepares for the upcoming election, voters are encouraged to take advantage of the various voting options available to them to ensure their voices are heard on Election Day.
Overall, the voting process in Pennsylvania is well underway, with counties implementing various strategies to make voting more accessible to residents. The high number of mail-in ballot applications and the opening of satellite election offices indicate a strong interest among voters to participate in the upcoming election. With nearly 9 million registered voters in the state, Pennsylvania is poised to play a significant role in determining the outcome of the election. As the November 5th election approaches, counties continue to make efforts to ensure that the voting process is secure and efficient, giving residents confidence in the integrity of the electoral process. By offering multiple avenues for voting, Pennsylvania is working to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to make their voice heard in this crucial election.
