What are my rights as a voter?

Watch this space for election and voting updates, and visit the CivicCLP website for current civic and political information. A full calendar of upcoming election dates and deadlines is available at vote.pa.gov. 

Answer

Pennsylvanians who need information or encounter problems at their polling place should call the PA Department of State's official election day hotline at 1-877-868-3772. Interpreters are available. 

 

If you experience any problems, voter intimidation, or disability access problems on ElectionDay, call the Election Protection Hotline: 

English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683

Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682

Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287

For Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683

 

From ACLU.org:

 

If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line – you have the right to vote.

If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.

If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot.

 

Read ACLU's full guides in English and Español. 

 

From VotesPA.com:

 

You have rights as a voter protected by both federal and Pennsylvania law.

 

It is illegal for any state or local government to discriminate against anyone by denying them the right to vote based on their: 

  • race,
  • ethnicity,
  • national origin, or
  • membership in a language minority.

Your right to vote can only be challenged if a poll worker, poll watcher, or another voter says you do not live in the precinct or are not who you say you are.

It is illegal for any person or corporation to intimidate or coerce you to vote for or against a particular candidate or political issue.

There are also laws that:

  • protect people in language minority groups from discrimination,
  • ensure that people with a disability or the elderly can vote independently and privately, and
  • establish rights for people who are in jail or who have been convicted of a crime

Visit VotesPA.com to read more about language rights, rights for voters with a disability, rights for people in jail or with a felony or misdemeanor conviction, and specific voting rights laws.

You can also read their guides on Voter Intimidation and Concerning Poll Watchers and Authorized Representatives. 

If you have any additional questions, you can contact a librarian can chat us, call us at 412-622-3114 or fill out our contact form here.

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  • Last Updated Jun 20, 2024
  • Views 121
  • Answered By Julie Horowitz

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