LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA
CITIZEN EDUCATION FUND
NONPARTISAN VOTERS GUIDE
GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 4, 2008
(C) Copyright 2008 LWVPA - CEF
Polls open 7 A.M. to 8 P.M.
This Voters Guide may be taken into the voting booth.
FOR ELECTION INFORMATION
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The material in this Guide was compiled by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. This material may not be altered or reprinted without the permission of the League. Each candidate's reply has been printed as submitted, except to use standard abbreviations and by editing from the bottom when a candidate's reply exceeded the word limit. The candidates listed are those whose names appear on the ballot as of August 11, 2008. They are listed according to their ballot order.
PURPOSE AND POLICY OF THE LEAGUE
The purpose of the League of Women Voters is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League is nonpartisan: it does not support or oppose any political parties or candidates. Nothing in this Guide should be construed as an endorsement of any candidate by the League of Women Voters.
ABSENTEE VOTING
Registered voters who are ill, disabled, or will be absent from the municipality on Election Day may vote by absentee ballot. Completed APPLICATIONS for absentee ballots must be received by the county Board of Elections by 5 P.M., Tuesday, October 28. Completed absentee BALLOTS must be received back at the Board of Elections by 5 P.M. on Friday, October 31. If an emergency arises (unexpected illness or business trip) after the Tuesday application deadline, call your county Board of Elections for information on emergency absentee voting. Proof of emergency may be required. An emergency application and ballot can be obtained and voted by 5 P.M. on Friday, October 31. Any disabled voter having questions regarding the accessibility of a polling place should consult the county Board of Elections.
WRITE-IN VOTING
Information for write-in voting will be available at the polling place
ELECTION DAY PROBLEMS
If your right to vote is challenged at the polls on Election Day and the problem cannot be resolved at the polling place, the judge of elections at the polling place should telephone the county Board of Elections. The problem could be resolved by phone if your name appears on the county records. If it does not and you want to try to resolve the problem, then you can go in person to the county Board of Elections where a judge from the Court of Common Pleas will be on duty to resolve election problems. Alternatively you can ask for and vote by provisional ballot. If it is later determined that you were eligible to vote your ballot will be counted. You will be given instructions on how to determine if your vote was counted. If all electronic voting machines in a precinct are inoperable, “paper ballots, either printed or written and of any suitable form” for registering votes (emergency back-up paper ballots) shall be distributed immediately to eligible voters.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW VOTERS
If you are a new voter or if you are voting at a polling place for the first time then you must bring your voter ID card or a photo ID such as a driver's license, student ID or some other form of federal or state government issued ID. Some forms of non-photo ID are also acceptable such as a firearm permit, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check. If you do not have any acceptable ID then you must be allowed to vote by provisional ballot.