Pennsylvania’s primary election is coming May 18, and voters will want to make sure they’re ready.
Lisa Pratt, McKean County director of elections, said she is not aware of any changes for voters during this election. However, there have been changes the past couple of years, such as the start of mail-in ballots.
Anyone who wants to vote by mail-in ballot will need to apply or absentee ballot will need to apply. Some people will automatically receive an application in the mail.
“A mail ballot application is only good for one year’s election cycle,” Pratt explained. “This is the beginning of a new election cycle, so anyone who wants to get a mail ballot for the elections this year will need to complete an application. Anyone who is on the permanent voter list would have automatically received a paper application at the beginning of February.”
For anyone who did not receive an application, “A voter may complete and submit an application online at www.votespa.com, or they may apply with a paper application, which is available through our office or online at votespa.com,” she said.
The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is May 11. All mail-in and civilian ballots are due one week later at 8 p.m. May 18. The county board of elections must receive ballots by this time.
As for military and overseas absentee ballots, those must be submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 p.m. May 17 and received by the board of elections by May 25.
The last day to register to vote before the primary is May 3.
Pratt does not know when her office will begin mailing out ballots to voters.
Interested in being more involved with the primary election? Pratt said that McKean County can use more help on May 18.
“We are still in need of poll workers in some areas,” she said. “If anyone is interested in working the polls, they can complete a poll worker interest form at votespa.com under the Resources section or call our office directly at 814-887-3236.”
There are a number of municipal seats up for election this year.
County seats up for grabs include sheriff, prothonotary, controller and treasurer. None of the county-wide races are contested. In numerous municipalities in the county there are openings for positions such as township supervisors, tax collectors, auditors, constables, poll workers, controllers, mayors and school board members.
In the Bradford area, there are three open seats on Bradford City council, openings for one supervisor each in Bradford Township and Foster Township, and in Lewis Run the mayor seat is open, along with three positions on council. Bradford Area School Board has four open positions.
The primary election will determine what candidates appear on the ballot for the general election. The general election is Nov. 2.
