At the Polls

Voters with disabilities need to be prepared for the challenges they may face at the polls.  It is important to know your rights, what to expect and how to react to problems you may encounter.  The Disability Voting Coalition has addressed some of the most common concerns on this page.

Accessibility at the Polls.

To be able to submit your vote, it must be placed at your assigned polling site. Therefore, it is important to know whether or not your polling site is accessible to your needs.  If you do not know or are unsure about your assigned polling place you may look that information up on the PA Department of State’s web site.

Once you have located your assigned polling site, you can determine its accessibility by contacting your county’s election office.If you find that you’ve been assigned to an inaccessible polling place, you are then qualified to apply for an alternative ballot.

Voters with disabilities are also entitled, under federal and Pennsylvania law, to bring a person of your choice to assist you in the voting process provided the person is not your employer, an agent of your employer, an officer or agent of your union or the Judge of Elections. The first time that you use assistance you must fill out a form designating a person to assist you. This form will be provided to you by the Elections officials at your polling place. After the first time, your registration record will include notation of your request for assistance. 

Alternative/Absentee Ballots.

Alternative Ballots

Any registered voter who has a disability, or who is 65 years of age or older irrespective of disability, AND who has been assigned to vote at a polling place that has been officially designated as “inaccessible” by the county board of elections, has the right to vote through an Alternative Ballot.  An application for an alternative ballot must be completed and received by your County Board of Elections  no later than 5 P.M. on the Tuesday before Election Day. 

In case of emergency, you can submit an Emergency Application for an Alternative Ballot, which must be received by 8 P.M. on Election Day.

If approved, a voter may complete his/her alternative ballot at any time before the close of the polls on Election Day.  However, in order to be counted, your ballot must be received by the county board of elections no later than 8:00 P.M. on Election Day.

Absentee Ballots

If you have been assigned an accessible polling place but are unable to attend or operate a voting machine due to an illness or physical disability, you are qualified to apply for an absentee ballot.  An absentee ballot application  must be completed, signed by the elector and received by the county board of elections no later than 5:00 P.M. on the Tuesday before Election Day.

If you miss the deadline because you did not know or have encountered unexpected circumstances that prevent you from being present at your polling place, you may fill out an Emergency Absentee Ballot Application . This application must be notarized, completed and returned to the County Board of Elections between 5:00 P.M. on the Tuesday before Election Day and 5:00 P.M. on the Friday before Election Day.

Permanent Absentee Voters

If you are a registered voter of the Commonwealth and acquire a certificate from your physician stating that you are permanently disabled and physically unable to attend the polls or operate a voting machine, you may apply for a permanent Absentee Ballot.

Submitting your Ballot

Alternative and Absentee Ballots can be delivered to your County Board of Elections  via U.S. Mail or in person.  If you would like to have someone assist you in delivering a completed alternative or absentee ballot complete the Designated Agent to Assist Disabled Voter in Delivering Completed Absentee or Alternative Ballotand Certificate of Designated Agent forms and return them to your County Board of Elections.

Preparation at the Polls.

What to Bring

All voters appearing at the polls for the first time must show proof of identification.  Approved forms of photo identification include:

• PA Driver’s License or PennDOT ID Card
• ID issued by any Commonwealth Agency
• ID issued by the U.S. Government
• U.S. passport
• U.S. Armed Forces ID
• Student ID
• Employee ID

If you do not have a photo ID, you can use a non-photo ID that includes your name and address.  Approved forms of non-photo ID include:

• Confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
• Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
• Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
• Firearm permit
• Current utility bill
• Current bank statement
• Current paycheck
• Government check

Vote Challenged

Pennsylvania does not have any laws that restrict the right to vote for individuals with developmental, mental health or physical disabilities.  There exist only 3 qualifications for a person to register and to vote in the state of Pennsylvania.  The individual must be:

1. A citizen of the United States at least 1 month before the election;
2. A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district for at least 30 days before the election;
3. At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the election.

Only individuals currently incarcerated in penal institutions for felony convictions are denied the right to vote.  If you are prevented from exercising your right to vote on Election Day contact the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania at 1-800-692-7443 or toll-free at 1-877-375-7139.

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