Voting Rights

Know your voting rights

We have listed the most common problems that voters face on Election Day, and we have included what you can do to remedy the situation. This information was excerpted from the Pennsylvania Voter Empowerment Card prepared by the ACLU in 2004. However, you can get an updated version printable version at 2008 Pennsylvania Voter Empowerment Card (ACLU-PA websie).

• Problem #1: Poll worker tells you that you cannot vote because you are a first-time voter and you don't have proper identification.
  • Solution: Ask the poll worker for a Provisional Ballot. You have the right to vote on a Provisional Ballot even ifyou are a first-time voter without identification.
• Problem #2: Poll worker tells you that you cannot have anyone assist you in casting your vote.
  • Solution: If you need help to cast your ballot in the voting booth, you are entitled to assistance and you should ask the poll worker for a "Declaration of the Need for Assistance" form. You have the right to have anyone you choose help you in the voting booth if you sign this form, but the person cannot be the Judge of Election, your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your union.
• Problem #3: Poll worker tells you that you are not on the list of registered voters.
  • Solution: First ask the worker to check the list again and to conform that you are at the right pooling place. If that fails, ask for a Provisional Ballot. You have the right to cast a Provisional Ballot even if your name is not on the voter list.
• Problem #4: Someone at the polling location challenges your eligibility to vote even though you are on the list of registered voters.
  • Solution: Ask the poll worker for the affidavit for challenged voters. You have the right to vote if you sign this form.
• Problem #5: You make a mistake on your ballot.
  • Solution: Ask the poll worker for a new ballot immediately. You have the right to as many replacement ballots as you need.
• Problem #6: The voting machines break down in your precinct and it looks like you cannot vote.
  • Solution: Election Officials must immediately provide Emergency Ballots when voting machines break down in a precinct.

There are specific directives from the Secretary of State regarding Provisional and Emergency Ballots.

Other Voting Resources

ACLU of Pennsylvania

Committee of Seventy (Philadelphia area)

Vote411.org (League of Women Voters)

VotesPA.com (also shows registration and voting deadlines, absentee ballots, county boards of elections)

So You're Not Going to Vote