HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania election officials are encouraging voters to review important information before heading to the polls for Tuesday’s primary election.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said the Pennsylvania Department of State wants voters to understand their rights and be prepared before casting their ballots.
Polls across Pennsylvania will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., and any voter in line by 8 p.m. will still be allowed to vote.
Officials are also reminding voters that all completed mail ballots must be returned to county election offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.
The Department of State says voters who requested a mail ballot but decide to vote in person can surrender their mail ballot materials at their polling place and cast a regular ballot. Voters who no longer have their mail ballot may vote using a provisional ballot.
First-time voters, or those voting for the first time at a new polling location, will need to show identification. Acceptable forms include both photo and non-photo ID.
Pennsylvania voters are also reminded that the state operates under a closed primary system, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party’s nominees in the primary election. However, all registered voters may still vote on constitutional amendments, ballot questions, or special elections that appear on their county ballot.
State officials also emphasized that voters have the right to assistance at polling places and the right to vote free from intimidation or harassment.
Anyone with questions about voting or polling place issues can contact Pennsylvania’s voter hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA.
Unofficial election results from all 67 Pennsylvania counties will begin appearing after polls close Tuesday night at electionreturns.pa.gov.
The Pennsylvania Department of State says additional voter information, including polling place locations and voting resources, is available at vote.pa.gov.
