Voting By Mail Encouraged for Rescheduled June 2 Primary Election

As cases of COVID-19 continue to spread across Pennsylvania, state officials have postponed the 2020 primary election until June 2.

AARP Pennsylvania fought for the legislature and the governor to delay the primary so voters can cast ballots more safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pennsylvania voters and county election officials were already preparing for historic changes following the first major amendment to the state’s Election Code in more than 80 years. Act 77 of 2019 included the introduction of mail-in ballots along with later deadlines for voter registration and returning mail and absentee ballots.

The good news is voting by mail is easy and secure. The simplest way to apply for a mail-in ballot is to complete an application online. You can also print out an application and mail it to your county election office or pick up an application in person at the county election office.

Here are the key dates for voting in Pennsylvania’s rescheduled June 2 primary:

May 18 New Voter Registration Deadline

May 26 Deadline to Apply for Mail-in ballot

June 2 Primary Election Day. Mail-in ballots must be returned to county election offices by 8pm.

For those still planning to vote in person, it’s important to note that many counties could be temporarily consolidating polling places due to the Coronavirus. That means you could be voting at a different location than in the past elections. In addition, state officials are making sure counties have infection-protection kits that include masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, floor marking tape and other sanitizing supplies so poll workers can maintain a safe voting environment.

AARP Pennsylvania will be working throughout May to educate voters about the rescheduled primary date and voting options. You’ll even have an opportunity to pose questions to the state’s top election official, Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar, during an AARP tele-town hall event to be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18. Watch our social media pages for more details.

For more information on the new mail-in ballots, consolidated polling locations and all things related to voting in Pennsylvania, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.