Voter registration deadline is Monday, October 4

If you want to vote in the general election on November 2, you must register by Monday, October 4. That's one week from today. In a general election, the voters choose the candidates who will hold the offices that are open for election. On the federal level, this election will cover one of Pennsylvania’s two United States Senate seats and all U.S. House seats. In the state, the governor, lieutenant governor, state senators in even-numbered districts, and all state House members, are up for election.

This is a critical election for our country. It’s called a mid-term election because it’s right in the middle of the president’s four-year term. The results can shift the balance of power in Congress, and thus the direction of the country for the next two years. A similar tug-of-war is occurring in Harrisburg, for control of the state government.

After you register, REMEMBER TO VOTE! Don’t worry about the new voting machines. If you can work an automatic banking machine or a TV remote controller, you can work a voting machine. If you’re nervous about it, there is more information and a demonstration on the Allegheny County Elections Division website. The site can also help you locate your polling place. The workers can also help you at the polling place on Election Day.

If you don’t know for whom you should vote, now is the time to do some research. In my experience, television commercials and campaign literature are practically useless in giving information. Advertisers design them to make you remember and feel good about the candidate. You can visit the candidates’ own websites, attend campaign events like rallies and town meetings, and read in-depth news coverage and voters’ guides. In the end, vote for the candidates who reflect your views most closely. No single candidate will be perfect, but you know what’s important to you.

It is illegal for anyone to keep you from voting. You cannot be fired from your job or evicted from your home, for voting. No one can tell you how to vote. If you can’t get to the polling place on Election Day, you can get an absentee ballot, but don’t wait too long. October 26 is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot, and they must be returned by October 29 at 5:00 PM.

You can find more information about voting and some of the issues from the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh, Community Information Center. An excellent guide is available online at votespa.com. Click on the “Guide for New Citizens”.

A summary of the voter registration rules

WHO: In order to register, you must:

Be a US citizen for 30 days or more on election day
Be at least 18 years old on election day
Be a resident of Pennsylvania, and your election district, for at least 30 days on election day

You do not have to have a residence to register to vote. You can be homeless, but you must have a mailing address.

You may be able to vote if you have a criminal record. Go to votespa.com for details.

WHAT

In order to vote in a primary election (in May of each year) you must register in a political party.
You do not have to register in a party to vote in the general election (held in November).
You can change your party registration any time you wish.
Even if you haven’t voted recently, you are still registered. Call the Election Division or check www.votespa.com to be sure.
If you moved, changed your name, or want to change your political party, you must register again.

WHERE: The Allegheny County Election Division office is located in the County Office Building.

542 Forbes Avenue, Room 604, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (Downtown)

Phone: (412) 350-4500, Fax: (412) 350-5697

WHEN

October 4, 2010 Registration forms must be in the Elections Division office, or postmarked, for the November 3 General Election

October 26, 2010 Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot for the November 3 General Election

October 29, 2010 Last day for County Board of Elections to receive completed absentee ballots

HOW: Registration forms are available in several places:

Allegheny County Elections Division office, 604 County Office Building, Downtown
Many state and local government offices
Most state and local legislators’ offices
Many public libraries, community agencies, and state liquor stores

You can also find the form online at the Pennsylvania Department of State. You can download, print, complete, sign, and mail the form to the address below. It must be postmarked by the registration deadline. Return the completed form to:

Voter Registration Section

Allegheny County Division of Elections
542 Forbes Ave., Room 609

Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2953

For More Information:

League of Women Voters

PA Department of State

Allegheny County Election Division

On September 27, 2005

Former U.S. House GOP Majority Leader Tom DeLay (Texas) was indicted on federal corruption charges.

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