By State Rep. Kinkead

Warmer weather is on the horizon, and so is the April 23 primary election! Whether it’s the United States president or a local school board seat on the ballot, every election has a significant impact on the local communities we all love, which is why it’s so important for all eligible voters to use their voice. Do you have a plan to vote in 2024? You can find all voting resources you need online at vote.pa.gov.

Registering to vote is the first step to participating in any election. In Pennsylvania, eligible voters currently must register at least 15 days before an election. If you aren’t registered in time, you won’t be able to participate. So, if you want to cast a ballot in the April 23 primary, make sure you register to vote before April 8. If you’re already registered, it’s also important to keep your voter registration information current by updating any changes to your address or legal name.

Last year, I was glad to see Gov. Josh Shapiro implement automatic voter registration in Pennsylvania. Now, Pennsylvanians who are eligible to obtain a new or renew a driver’s license or ID card will be automatically registered to vote, unless they opt out. On top of saving taxpayers time and money, this change also strengthens our election security because residents must show proof of identity, residency, age, and citizenship (the same information required for registration) when visiting Penn-DOT for a new ID. It’s great to see the Shapiro-Davis administration taking steps like this to streamline our election process and engage more eligible voters across the Commonwealth.

If you’re planning to vote by a mailin or absentee ballot, you must apply for a ballot by April 16. Completed ballots must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m. on April 23. Postmarks are not enough. Instead of mailing your ballot, you may also drop it off at the County Office Building during regular business hours. Allegheny County announced additional ballot drop-off locations for the 2024 elections. Visit the county website or call the Elections Division at (412) 350-4500 to learn more about your options for returning a mailin or absentee ballot.

Speaker of the Pennsylvania House Joanna McClinton is also taking action to expand voting access for Pennsylvanians. I proudly co-sponsored her recently announced legislation that would 1) provide registered Pennsylvania voters the ability to vote early in-person during the two weeks leading up to an election, and 2) allow eligible voters to register to vote at polling locations on Election Day. Allowing two weeks of early in-person voting on machines would give Pennsylvanians with demanding work schedules or dynamic family responsibilities an opportunity to cast their vote at a time that works best for them. It would also relieve congestion at the busiest polling locations. Additionally, it would help seniors, especially those who use wheelchairs or walkers, by allowing more time to accommodate their needs.

For decades, county election officials in Pennsylvania from both parties have been pleading for basic reforms like early in-person voting to help alleviate the incredible burden poll workers face trying to tally all votes in a single night. Another basic reform that I support is proposed by state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, and would further streamline our elections by allowing the pre-canvassing of ballots beginning seven days before an election. Under current law, pre-canvassing of absentee and mail-in ballots cannot begin until 7 a.m. on Election Day, which puts an unnecessary amount of pressure on the folks tasked with counting our votes.

While it’s unlikely the reforms proposed by McClinton and Conklin would be in effect for any 2024 elections, it’s exciting to see the ball rolling toward making Pennsylvania elections as secure, efficient, and accessible as they can possibly be. According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, only 76.5% of our Commonwealth’s more than nine million registered voters cast a ballot in the 2020 general election and I want to see us get much closer to 100% participation in our future elections be- cause our democracy works best when each and every eligible voter has their say in it.

It’s troubling that many Americans feel like their vote doesn’t matter, when in reality, every vote matters! In 2022, majority control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives came down to an election that was decided by a mere 58 votes. The outcome of that race is what gave Democrats our onevote majority in the Pennsylvania state House. That one vote has determined the entire legislative direction of the state House and it’s a great example of the power that individual voters wield.

If you need help registering to vote or have questions about your options for casting a ballot this year, please reach out to my office by phone at (412) 321-5523 or email RepKinkead@pahouse.net. My staff and I are here to help you with any state-related issues, big or small.