Franklin County Voters Get Key Information for Upcoming Municipal Election

Ahead of Pennsylvania’s Municipal Election on November 4th, the Franklin County Board of Election has released a comprehensive set of frequently asked questions and answers to guide voters. The information, provided by the Franklin County Board of Election, covers essential details such as polling hours, voter registration requirements, polling place locations, and ballot submission procedures, ensuring residents are well-prepared to cast their votes.

Polls across Franklin County will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Any registered voter present in line at the closing time of 8 p.m. will be permitted to cast their ballot. To be eligible to vote in Pennsylvania, individuals must be at least 18 years old on or before the election, a U.S. citizen for at least one month prior to the election, and a resident of Pennsylvania and their specific election district for a minimum of 30 days before the election. Voters can confirm their registration status and designated polling place by visiting http://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov or by contacting the Franklin County Voter Registration Office at 717-261-3886.

Franklin County features 73 polling places, and voters are required to cast their ballots at the location assigned to their residential address. This information is typically found on voter registration cards, and polling place locations can be verified online. Residents should be aware of a specific polling place change: voters in the Metal 3 precinct will now cast their ballots at the Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church, located at 16950 Main Street, Spring Run.

For those who have received absentee or mail-in ballots, the deadline for return is 8 p.m. on November 4th. Voters are encouraged to mail their ballots as early as possible to ensure timely delivery. Those concerned about mail delivery can hand-deliver their completed ballots to the Franklin County Voter Registration Office at 272 N. Second St., Chambersburg. To submit a ballot on behalf of another voter, a Designated Agent Authorization Form, available on the county’s website or at the registration office, must be completed. It is important to note that voted ballots will not be accepted at polling places.

The November election ballot will feature races for various local and judicial offices, including judge of the superior court, judge of the commonwealth court, county treasurer, school director, tax collector, township auditor, township supervisor, borough mayor, borough councilperson, magisterial district judge #39-3-04, judge of election, and inspector of election. Sample ballots can be viewed online at http://www.franklincountypa.gov or obtained in paper form from the Franklin County Commissioners’ Office.

Identification requirements vary for voters. First-time voters, those voting in a new election district for the first time, or individuals who have recently updated their registration information will need to present either photo or non-photo identification. Acceptable forms of photo identification include a Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID, any Commonwealth agency ID, U.S. government ID, U.S. passport, U.S. armed forces ID, student ID, or employee ID, provided they are not expired. Voters without photo ID can present non-photo identification such as a voter registration card, a non-photo ID from the Commonwealth or U.S. government, a firearm permit, a current utility bill, a bank statement, a paycheck, or a government check, as long as it includes their name and address.

All 73 polling places in Franklin County have been deemed handicapped accessible. Voters who require assistance to vote can receive it if their registration record indicates this need, or if they sign a declaration of need at the polling place before voting. The person providing assistance cannot be the judge of elections, their employer, or a union representative. Magnifiers will be available at each polling place for voters with difficulty reading their ballots. Campaigning activities, including the distribution or display of literature, are restricted to a minimum of 10 feet from polling place entrances. For further information on candidates, voters are directed to local newspapers, online searches, or the Franklin County Democratic and Republican Committees.

Voters with questions regarding registration should contact the Franklin County Voter Registration Office at 717-261-3886. Election-related inquiries can be directed to the Franklin County Election Board at 717-261-3812. Additional resources are available on the county’s website. Election results for Franklin County will be posted on http://www.franklincountypa.gov, with statewide results accessible at http://www.pa.gov/agencies/vote/elections/election-results.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Franklin County.

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