Pennsylvania’s primary election has been postponed to June 2 because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and public health concerns around spreading the virus.
Voting by absentee ballot is one way to submit your ballot without having to go to the polls. Those who may apply for absentee ballots include registered voters with a physical disability or illness that prevents them from going to the polling place, inmates who haven’t been convicted of a felony, college students who are not registered to vote at their school address, people whose work may take them away from the municipality where they vote, members of the military and those who may have a conflict as a result of the observance of a religious holiday.
Absentee ballot applications must be received at your county election office by 5 p.m. Tuesday May 26.
You now have the option to request to be added to an annual absentee ballot request list where you’ll receive an application to renew your absentee ballot request each year. This only applies if you have a permanent disability or illness when applying for this option when submitting an absentee ballot application. Once your application is approved, you will automatically receive ballots for the remainder of the year, and you do not need to submit an application for each election.
Did you know more than 57 million people cast votes early, by mail or absentee balloting in the 2016 election? Pennsylvania now has expanded access to mail-in and absentee ballots and Senator Hughes is encouraging voters to weigh their options and public health to cast ballots in the June primary.
Don’t let Democracy Die! Voting is as important now as it has ever been. We cannot let the pandemic prevent us from exercising our right to vote and protecting our democracy.
Stay up to date with the latest information on the pandemic at senatorhughes.com/coronavirus. Please do your part to help stop the spread of the virus. Stay safe, stay at home, and don’t forget to wash your hands!
Here is guide issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, helping provide clear guidance and direction in response to coronavirus COVID-19. The residents of Philadelphia and its suburbs have been ordered to remain at home as to help prevent spread of coronavirus, find out what that means for you.
Montgomery County is doing the same.
Here are some reminders about preventing spread of the disease:
Best practices to plan, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Symptoms of the COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.
What to do if you think you have coronavirus COVID-19, according to the CDC:
- Stay home except to get medical care
- Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor
- Wear a facemask if you are sick
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Clean your hands often
- Avoid sharing personal household items
- Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday
For more details on what to do prevent coronavirus COVID-19 spread, visit the CDCs full list of recommendations.
Read more: CDC recommendations on getting tested for coronavirus
