Indiana County, Pennsylvania

All County School Board Candidates: At A Glance

Absentee Voting

How to Vote by Absentee Ballot

In Pennsylvania you cannot vote absentee simply because you find going to the polls an inconvenience, or because you want to avoid the crowds on Election Day. Registered voters in Pennsylvania can vote by absentee ballot in only two situations:

In either case, you must list the reason for your absence on the absentee voter application. If you need voting assistance due to poor eyesight, inability to write, etc., a special form must be requested to accompany the absentee ballot application.

The easiest way to vote absentee is to go to your local courthouse in person, fill out an application for an absentee ballot, receive the ballot, and vote immediately. This is possible only after the ballots have been printed, so call the courthouse first.

Counties do not automatically mail out absentee voter applications to voters except for those registered voters who have been certified as being physically disabled. In order to get an absentee ballot by mail you must first request an absentee ballot application. You can call your county courthouse for an application. (In Indiana County call 724.465.3805.) You can also download a form at www.votespa.com. Click on “How to vote”. .

Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the courthouse by 5:00 pm on the Tuesday before the election. If an emergency arises (unexpected illness or a business trip) after the Tuesday application deadline, call your county courthouse for information on emergency absentee voting.

Once your application has been approved you will be mailed a ballot. Completed ballots must be received at the courthouse by 5:00 pm on the Friday before the election.

You must return the completed ballot by U.S. mail or take it to the courthouse in person. It is illegal for election officials to accept ballots from family members, friends or neighbors, or from a political party representative.

IMPROPER COMPLETION OF THE ABSENTEE BALLOT OR RELATED MATERIAL, OR IMPROPER DELIVERY OF THE ABSENTEE BALLOT TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, CAN RESULT IN YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT BEING CHALLENGED AND SET ASIDE BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS OR A COURT OF LAW.

Where do I go to vote on Election Day?

First-time voters are sometimes confused about where they go to vote. Some folks think they can go to any location that advertises “Vote Here”. This is not true. You must go to the location that is listed on the voter registration card that you received in the mail from the county where you registered to vote. If you cannot find your card, or if you don’t know where the polling place listed is located, you can call the voter registration office at the county courthouse. In Indiana County the number is 724.465.3805.

If you have moved since you last voted and have not changed your voter registration address, you will need to go to the polling place where you last voted. You will be allowed to vote, but you will be asked to fill out a change of address form with you new address and you will be assigned a new polling location.

Write-in Voting

You may vote for someone who is not listed on the election ballot by ‘writing in’ the name in the appropriate spot. It is important that you use the preferred form of the candidate’s name and that it is spelled correctly.

The procedure for write-in candidates differs depending on the voting system used in your county, so check with the workers at your polling place before entering the voting booth.