The heat is on — and it’s getting hotter for election officials across Pennsylvania as the April 28 presidential primary approaches.
A new state election law that allows, among other things, no-excuse mail-in balloting 50 days before an election, coupled with the introduction of new voting machines in 22 counties, including Allegheny and Westmoreland, could prove the perfect storm this spring.
In letters posted Friday, a coalition of civil rights and voting integrity groups voiced concerns that some Pennsylvania voters could be disenfranchised if county election officials don’t act quickly to comply with provisions of the new law.
The new law that eliminated straight-ticket voting changed the deadline for voter registration from 30 to 15 days prior to an election and requires counties to establish a permanent mail-in and absentee ballot roster. Now, those who opt to be placed on the roster are to be mailed applications for ballots by the first Monday in February every year.