Get ready to fulfill civic duty to vote

Pennsylvanians have until April 13to register for the April 28 primary, and mail-in ballots are available until April 21.

Big changes in election rules are taking effect this year, and it’s important for voters to understand what’s new and how it might impact them.

Now is a good time for voters to think about all this so they’re prepared.

The most important thing to remember is that the deadline to register to vote has been moved to 15 days before the election instead of 30. That means those who aren’t registered have until April 13 to sign up in time to participate in the April 28 primary.

That, of course, is dependent on the primary actually taking place on April 28. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, there is growing pressure to possibly delay the primary.

To register electronically, visit votespa.com and fill out the online form. Other registration options include filing by mail. In-person options are diminished in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

It remains to be seen whether there will still be much of a race for the Democratic presidential nomination by late April, but there are other contests that need to be decided. Voters — both Democrats and Republicans — will pick their candidates for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, along with every seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and two seats in the Pennsylvania Senate.

There is another huge change that will be in effect for the looming primary vote in the state. For the first time, those who are registered will have the option to vote by mail or cast a ballot in person at a county elections office. Previously, the only alternative to turning out to the polls on Election Day was to request an absentee ballot, which requires voters to provide a reason why they can’t vote the conventional way.

The mail-in option could prove particularly useful in light of the coronavirus pandemic, enabling people to vote without having to be in a crowd.

Voters have until April 21 to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot.

State officials said there has been a strong response to the availability of mail-in ballots this year. We’re not surprised. It’s a badly needed reform and serves the needs of people who don’t meet the standard for an absentee ballot but still have difficulty reaching the polls on the day they’re open.

Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathryn Boockvar and her team have done a good job of delivering the message about the changes. During a recent swing across the state, she delivered assurances that officials are working closely with county elections officials to ensure there aren’t any problems, even as 22 counties are using new machines for the first time.

If you’re leery of venturing out to a polling place, we urge you to vote by mail. Now, with the state plunged into a near standstill in the wake of the coronavirus, would be a good time for county officials to mount a serious campaign to inform voters how to go about voting by mail.

We urge readers to do their part in making sure this year’s election runs smoothly. Presidential years always are difficult even without the sort of changes taking effect this year. People can help in a small way by making sure they understand the new voting laws and are prepared to use the new machines, and in a big way by volunteering to work at the polls and stand at the front lines of democracy.

This promises to be one of the biggest election years many of us have ever seen. The current coronavirus crisis makes the situation more difficult, but the addition of mail-in ballots precludes using the virus as an excuse not to vote.

It’s time to get informed and get ready.