Deadline to register to vote in June 2 primary is imminent

• Ed Arke
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Monday is the deadline to register to vote in the June 2 primary.

The deadline was extended by two weeks, to May 18, last October when Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law legislation making the change.

In addition to more time to register to vote, election reforms mean Pennsylvanians can vote by mail without having to provide a reason. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot for the June primary is May 26. Mail-in and absentee ballots must be returned by mail or at the county election office by 8 p.m. on election day.

New voting systems will be in use in all 67 counties. They produce a paper record that voters can verify before casting their ballot.

On June 2, polling places will be open in all counties, including any still designated in the red phase of the COVID-19 emergency, although some polling places may be consolidated. Voters who want to cast their ballots in person should check with their county election office.

Here’s what you need to know about how to vote during the coronavirus pandemic in Pennsylvania.

Registration or a status check of your voting status is available at VotesPa.com.

The state’s Online Voter Registration website is available for people who are registering for the first time or voters who want to update their registration with a change of name, address or party affiliation.

People who want to register to vote in the June 2 primary must be:

• A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the primary.
• A resident of Pennsylvania and of the election district in which the individual plans to register and vote for at least 30 days before the primary.
• At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the primary.

For more information, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.