Election Information

Elections are the beginning of good government and sound public policy, because it is through elections that citizens of this great Commonwealth participate most directly in the political process by selecting individuals to represent them and by helping to determine policy through referendums, etc. In order for a democracy to thrive, all individuals must participate in elections exercising the most basic of our inalienable rights—the right to VOTE!

ELECTION CALENDAR
Important dates to remember for Election 2005 are:

April 18
Last day to register to vote before the primary

May 10
Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot

May 13
Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted absentee ballots

May 17
GENERAL PRIMARY

October 11
Last day to register to vote for the fall election

November 1
Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot

November 4
Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted absentee ballots

November 8
MUNICIPAL ELECTION

For a more detailed election calendar, including filing information, click here:
http://www.dos.state.pa.us

ELECTION RESOURCES
Voters are asked to sort through a great deal of information in order to cast a vote for a candidate or an issue. This can be overwhelming and often deters individuals from voting. Election information is available and we suggest the following resources:

Candidates/campaign headquarters. Today you can find information about individual candidates by visiting the candidates website OR you could collect information the old fashioned way by contacting the campaign headquarters and request that a candidate bio and/or portfolio be sent out to you.

Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania. The RSC provides information about state level candidates to registered voters. Contact their office today at (717) 234-4901 or visit their website at www.pagop.org.

County Board of Elections. Questions about voting, registration, elections? Each County has a Board of Elections that administers all voting procedures, candidate filings, etc. Your County Board of Elections can be a resource to you. Click here for a County by County listing of Board of Elections and Voter Registration contacts: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/elections/contact.html.

League of Women Voters. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization established in 1920 to promote the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League operates at the national, state and local level. Often the local League, in collaboration with a regional newspaper, will publish voter Election Information Guides the Tuesday prior to Election Day.

Contact information:
League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
226 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Phone/Fax: (717) 234-1576
lwvpa@pa.lwv.org
Citizen Information Center: 1-800-692-7281

Candidate Debates. Often local civic groups and/or community groups (like the League of Women Voters or the local Chamber of Commerce) sponsor candidate debates prior to the election. This is a terrific way not only to learn the candidates views but to meet a candidate. Check with local groups and your local newspaper for more information. Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) and local cable stations will often cover candidate debates live or rebroadcast them.

These are a few Election Resources, but if you have a specific question, please feel free to contact us at (724) 463-5110 or at comfortb@ptd.net and we will do our best to assist you.