Deadline to register to votes draws near

Election Day is just around the corner, and that means the deadline for voter registration ends soon.

The deadline to register to vote for the 2020 general election is next Monday, Oct. 19.

Voters in Chester County will get to help decide who will occupy the White House as well as cast ballots in several statewide rowoffice races, congressional contests and state legislative races.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Check first: If you aren’t sure if you’re registered to vote, find out. Trying to register again if you’re already registered could result in unnecessary hassles.

And if you haven’t voted in a while, check to make sure you’re still registered and that your address is up to date.

Voters can check their registration status by calling their county’s elections office. For Chester County, that number is 610-34464100. Voters can also call the state at 877-868-3772 or check their status online at votesPA.com.

Choose a registration option: Pennsylvania voters can register online at register.votesPA.com. In addition to applying for a new registration, the OVR system also can also be used to update an existing voter record with new information, such as a change of name, address or party affiliation.

But voters can still mail in paper applications. Those are available online at votesPA.com or can be picked up at government offices, libraries and post offices. You can also register in person at the county elections office.

Follow directions: Make sure to have your driver’s license, PennDOT ID or Social Security number handy when registering. If you check on the registration form that you don’t have any of those identifications, it can result in your application being delayed.

Make sure all the questions on the form are answered and filled out. Missing information can result in delays.

Get a mailed ballot: The deadline to request a ballot by mail is Oct. 27. Voters can apply online by visiting VotesPA.com, apply in person at the county elections office or contact the county elections office directly to request a paper application. You will need to apply with a valid Pennsylvania identification card or supply the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Completed ballots can either be mailed or brought to Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Rd, West Chester, or mail-in ballot dropoff locations at Henrietta Hankin Branch, 215 Windgate Drive, chester Springs, Oxford Public Library, Avon Grove Library, Coatesville Area Public Library, Easttown Library and Information Center, Downingtown Library, Honey Brook Library, Kennett Library, Phoenixville Library, Parkesburg Library or Spring City Library.

Voters can also mail their ballot through the Postal Service. They must be postmarked by 8 p.m. Nov. 3 and received by the county election office by 5 p.m. Nov. 6.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Officials ballot boxes are now out in Chester County.