This article was originally published in the Indiana Gazette.
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the League of Women Voters of Indiana County honored National Voter Registration Day, a one-day nationwide, nonpartisan effort to register voters, by staffing a voter information and resource table at the Indiana Free Library.
The day marked the kick-off of a 30-day commitment to supply Indiana’s community libraries with voter registration information and materials.
While the countywide drive was centered at the Indiana Free Library, the League is providing information and registration materials for patrons of the libraries in Blairsville, Burrell Township (Black Lick), Homer City and Saltsburg. The materials will assist voters who want to register, update their registration if they have moved, or request a mail-in ballot. The paper materials and online resources will be available until the Oct. 21 voter registration deadline. The deadline to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot is Oct. 29.
“Every eligible American deserves the chance to participate in this year’s pivotal elections,” said Indiana County League president Ann Rea. “Voter registration is the first step to ensuring your voice is heard. Although the deadline to request a mail-in ballot for the November 5 election is October 29, we suggest that citizens who wish to vote by mail confirm their registration and apply for their mail-in ballot as soon as possible.
“Ideally, voters should mail their ballots two weeks before the election to be sure the ballots are received at the Courthouse by 8:00 p.m. on November 5. To have your vote count, seal your marked ballot inside the security envelope. Place the sealed security envelope in the outer mailing envelope. On the outer mailing envelope, sign your name and write that day’s date.”
National Voter Registration Day is an annual nonpartisan campaign to register voters across the nation. Embraced by bipartisan elected officials and organizations, the campaign involves thousands of community partners, including League of Women Voters groups, nationwide, every year.
“The League of Women Voters of Indiana County empowers voters through registration, nonpartisan information, and get-out-the-vote activities in every election,” said Rea. “We host candidate and issue forums and registration drives while also providing trusted and timely elections information on www.VOTE411.org. We believe our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard.”
For official online information about voter registration, voting processes, elections and polling places in Pennsylvania, residents can visit www.vote.pa.gov.