After a long, arduous campaign season that had more twists than a season of Game of Thrones, it’s almost here: next Tuesday is Election Day.
If you’re planning on exercising your right to vote for our next President (and other representatives), here is all of the information you need to determine when, where and how to vote:
Am I registered to vote?
Check your voter registration status either by name or driver’s license number using this tool on the Pennsylvania Voter Services website: Find Voter Registration Status
Where’s my polling place?
You can determine your polling place by completing this simple form on the Pennsylvania Voter Services website: Find Your Polling Place
What time are the polls open?
Pennsylvania polls are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Should I post a selfie in a voting booth?
You could ask Justin Timberlake, who recently may have violated a Tennessee law by posting a selfie inside a voting booth.
Or, you could take the cautionary advice of the LNP Editorial Board, who advises to think twice about posting that ballot selfie and Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro Cortes take on the matter, who simply said “don’t do it.”
Despite being a fan of Justin Timberlake’s work, on this issue, I’m with the Editorial Board and Secretary Cortes.
Do I have any options if I can’t vote in person on November 8?
VotesPA has an excellent summary of all of the information needed to vote by absentee ballot.
Today (November 1, 2016) is the last day to request a civilian absentee ballot, which you can obtain here: Absentee Ballot Application
The request must be hand-delivered to the appropriate county office or postmarked by 5:00 pm today and may not be submitted via fax or email.
You must submit your actual absentee ballot by Friday, November 4, 2016 at 5:00 pm in order to vote, so if you want to vote by absentee ballot, act fast!
Who will win on November 8?
You will, dear reader. Regardless of your party affiliation or the winner of the election, everyone wins because on the morning of November 9, the sun will rise, you’ll wake up, and for a brief moment, a certain quiet calm will come over you. Your eyes, ears and mind will have a brief reprieve from the constant barrage of political advertisements you’ve endured for the better part of a year. November 9 will be a new day.