Remember to Vote Today!

Although women and men often care about similar issues, women are not adequately represented in federal, state, or local government. As a result, women’s voices and needs are not as integral to the decision-making process, and final decisions about policies that affect the lives of women and their families are often left to men who make up the majority of the legislative bodies.

Today is primary election day in Pennsylvania, an opportunity for every individual to make his or her voice heard through voting. So be sure to head to your nearest polling place and cast your vote!

A few resources and things to remember:

• Click here to find your polling place (PA residents only).
• Click here to find your polling place if you are not a resident of Pennsylvania
• Voting is a RIGHT. If you are a registered voter, and have any problems casting a vote, call the Election Protection Coalition at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

Remember to Vote Today and Bring a Friend!

The General Election is finally here, and today we have an opportunity to participate in our democracy by voting. In the past, there has been one group of the electorate that has not voted at the same rate as others — unmarried women.

In the 2004 presidential election, 71% of married women cast a ballot while only 59% of unmarried women voted. This year, unmarried women represent 26% of the electorate. That’s one out of four voters, and according to a survey by Women’s Voices, Women Vote, unmarried women appear to be driving much of the early voting in our country. Let’s push for 100% voter participation, and please try to vote early to avoid long lines.

Any Election Day problems should be referred to the Election Protection Coalition at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

Finding your Polling Location in Pennsylvania is easy.

Readers in other states can find their polling places here.

The More You Know: Emergency Ballots

Election Day is almost here and we are expecting a great turnout at the polls, given the extraordinarily high number of voters who have registered all over the state (as well as all over the nation).  In consideration of this turnout, voting rights groups have been working to make sure proper precautions are taken in case voting machines malfunction.  Such situations posed a problem during the Pennsylvania primary election in April as some voters received emergency paper ballots, others waited hours to cast their vote, and some were simply told to try again later.  Such a hindrance in the voting procedure threatens people’s right to vote and have each vote count.

Luckily, there is a solution to these problems: emergency ballots. Although every county Board of Elections in Pennsylvania stipulates that all machines in the precinct must be inoperable before the distribution of emergency ballots, voters should request emergency ballots if they find that any malfunctioning voting machines are standing in the way of their vote.

For more information on emergency ballots, voting, or to report voting problems you can contact the Election Protection Coalition by calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

To learn more about specific Election Day procedures in Pennsylvania or to find your polling location you can go to the PA Voting Resources page on the Department of State’s website.

Know Your Voting Rights!

With an anticipated record voter turnout in Pennsylvania on November 4^th, it’s important that we all know our voting rights.  So spread the word, and here are some quick facts about voting in Pennsylvania:

• First-time voters, or voters who have moved and are going to a new polling location, must show some form of identification to vote. Approved forms of ID include: Voter Registration Card, PA Driver’s License, a passport, Armed Forces ID, an Employee ID, a Student ID, utility bill or a bank statement provided it has the person’s address on it.
• If you don’t have identification, you can still vote by Provisional Ballot.
• If your name is not listed on the rolls at the polling location, and you are sure this is your precinct, insist on voting by Provisional Ballot. Once your registration is confirmed your vote will be counted.
• If voting machines break down in your precinct, election officials must immediately provide paper Emergency Ballots to voters.
• People living in shelters and who have registered to vote using the shelter address can vote.
• People who are on probation, parole, or house arrest CAN VOTE.
• People in prison can vote only if they are serving time on a misdemeanor charge or they are awaiting trial (they can vote by Absentee Ballot).

If you experience problems voting or have a question about the process, call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

For any questions related specifically to voting in Pennsylvania, or to find your polling location, you can check out PA Voting Resources.

And for a nonpartisan look at the issues at play in this election, head over to WomenVote PA.