Voting: The Purpose and the Process

The Purpose

Voting helps you voice your opinion. By voting, you can help pick which decision-makers you want to represent you. Picking decision-makers is important. Their actions can impact issues you care about!

The Process

Step 1: Determine your Eligibility

To vote in PA you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have lived in PA for at least 30 days
• Have been a US citizen for at least a month

Step 2: Register to Vote

• Eligible voters are required to register 30 days before the election
• Register online at www.votespa.com
• You can also register in person at a County Voter Registration office or by mail

Step 3: Learn about the Candidates

• Search the internet and news sources for information about the candidates.
• Email them to ask questions and learn more about the issues they support

Step 4: Vote!

• To vote in person, you must go to your designated polling place in person on election day.
• In special circumstances, you may be able ot use an absentee ballot.

Learn More

Use reliable sources of information. Check references in articles and websites, read more than one article, and try to learn about the authors’ viewpoints.