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Registering to Vote Made Easy

ALL You Need to Know to Register Voters

2026 League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh

©

1. Hello and it so great being with you today.

This presentation is entitled: "Train the Trainer: Registering to Vote Made Easy–Training Others to Register Voters. If you are already an expert at voter registration, your target audience may be students, young voters,

or other League members–anyone who wants to train others to run voter registration drives. If not, this slide deck will help!

The learning objectives from this "nuts and bolts" presentation are:

1. To learn the tips that make VOTER REGISTRATION with

• an ONLINE OR

• with the PRINTED Applications easy, and,

2. To provide basic voting and election information in order to address possible questions and concerns of new or young voters.

The League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh is a NONPROFIT 501 (C)(3),

NONPARTISAN organization, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties.

We are all about the "HOW", not the "WHO". We don't tell anyone who to vote for, or give our personal opinions about particular political parties,

but we will help you today to be able to register new voters and to answer basic questions that arise.

Our mission is:

1. to reach ALL eligible citizens and make sure THEY KNOW they have a RIGHT to vote, and

2. To help citizens understand that our democracy is stronger when we ALL participate by voting.

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2. So, what do you say when people tell you they are NOT interested in registering to vote?

I've had young people simply say..."Voting is not for me."

How do you persuade eligible citizens that voting is powerful and in their best interests?

You can ask them what issues are important to them.

-It’s their issues, and their lives and we try to connect that to voting for candidates who care about those same issues, at every level of government.

Let’s take a look at just SOME of the issues that might come up as you talk to eligible citizens.

Recent research from CIRCLE at Tufts University (Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) asserts that college students care about

the more abstract issues, like climate, gun safety, LGBTQ+, and abortion, while young people who are working or are in Career-Technical Schools care more about "jobs, housing, and racism".

They also have a statistic that says 75% of youth feel they can change the world, but only 40% feel they have the tools they need.

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Check Voter Registration STATUS

Must "use it so you don't lose it!" This citizen has registered in the past but hasn't voted in recent elections.

Can change "inactive" status to "active" two ways:

At polling place on election day
Or citizen can register to vote again

"ACTIVE"

Eligible to Vote

Registered to vote previously, on or before the voter registration deadline. Voter info listed:

address, DOB
voter status as "active"
political party
mail-in voting information
US Congressional and State Senate/House Districts
POLLING PLACE address along with municipality, ward and precinct

"INACTIVE"

Must Act

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"NOT LISTED"

Must Act

County Election Office does not have a record that there was a previous voter registration.

Must register to vote on or before the voter registration deadline to be eligible to vote in next election

Click HERE

3. The very first thing to do is to check an interested person's Voter Registration Status: Click on this link, found on vote.pa.gov under "Check Registration Status". It is amazing at how few people know how to check their voter status!

If "ACTIVE", then a citizen has previously registered to vote, on or before the voter registration deadline, and can vote with a regular ballot in the next election. Other important voter information will be listed: Read Slide.

INACTIVE: “Use it so you don't lose it!” This simply means a citizen has registered in the past but hasn't voted in recent elections (two consecutive Federal and State elections in even years), and their registration was probably "purged".

There are two easy ways to change "inactive" status to "active" so they may vote.

For the voters who have a listing of "INACTIVE", they can re-register to vote before the voter registration deadlines and once approved, their status will change to "ACTIVE".

Or, if time is short, this voter can go to their polling place on election day where the poll book notation should also be listed as "INACTIVE".

Election workers will have the voter sign an affidavit that changes status to "active". Signing the affidavit will enable this voter to vote with a regular ballot (NOT a provisional ballot).

NOT LISTED:

This means this person's County Election Office does not have a record that there was a previous voter registration.

This citizen must register to vote (online or with a downloaded application) on or before the voter registration deadline to be able to vote in the next election.

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Learn More at Vote.org

Different States have Different Rules

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LWVPGH Graphic for 3 Choices for Out-of-State College Students

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Part 1:

Who Can

Register to Vote

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YOU can Register to Vote NOW

Must be a US citizen for 30 days
Must be 18 by election day
Must be a PA resident for 30 days prior to the election
Have a PennDOT ID, PA Driver’s License or last 4 digits of your Social Security Number

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Qualifications

Not sure if you are already registered? Check Voter Status here

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Voter Registration:

3 Choices for I N-STATE College Student s and 3 Choices for OUT-of-STATE College Students

1. Go home

Student wants to go home to vote; use home address.

2. Stay at school, but...

Stay at school but wants to use their home address to register; apply for a mail-in ballot.

3. Register at school

Student wants to vote where now living locally here in PA: needs to update voter registration if PA resident or apply for new registration if out-of-state home address.

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See this short video. “Voting After a Move”

7. PA law allows eligible students living away from home to choose either their HOME ADDRESS or their NEW ADDRESS when registering to vote, but they may only vote once!

There are 3 Choices for IN-STATE and OUT-of-STATE College-University Students: Graphic is linked (front and back of postcard).

1st Choice--They want to go home to vote; so, they would use their home address to register and then need to be home on Election Day to vote.

2nd Choice-- They want to stay at school, but still vote in their elections at home, like Municipal Elections, so they need to use their HOME ADDRESS to register.

AND they will also need to apply for a Mail-in or Absentee ballot. Both the online and NEW downloadable Voter Registration Applications have the Mail-in Ballot Application included in one process.

3rd Choice--They want to vote where they NOW live, locally here in PA--where they get their mail. If they are from a different state, or if they have never registered to vote, they should check “New Registration”.

--If they are PA residents living at a different address from their home address and they have previously registered to vote, they can “UPDATE” their voter registration:

They must complete the entire registration application again, with the address where they currently reside (#9 on the application).

In the weeds: Technically, out-of-state students who make Choice #3, should cancel their previous registration in their home state. This link is available on at vote.pa.gov.

Be aware of deadlines for voter registration and application for Mail-in ballots.

Also be aware that some states, like Wisconsin, are passing laws that limit the eligibility of out-of-state students to vote.

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Brochure

CLICK Here

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NEW LWVPGH Web Page Here

See Who Can and Cannot Vote here.

8. The League of Women Voters' mission is to make reliable voter and election information available to ALL eligible citizens.

We know that there are many citizens with a justice history OR who are in jails or prisons and DON'T THINK they have the right to vote.

Many citizens with DUI convictions in their past, believe they have LOST the right to vote.

And many who are currently incarcerated, don't realize that they can register and vote.

So, KNOW THE FACTS: With only a few exceptions, most citizens in Pennsylvania ARE ELIGIBLE to register and vote.

An individual CANNOT register and vote if they will be incarcerated for a felony CONVICTION on Election Day.-- See Who Can and Cannot Vote.

This PA Department of State Brochure for citizens with a criminal record, "reentering citizens" (recently released from incarceration) and incarcerated citizens, can be found at vote.pa.gov.

Find a new LWVPGH web page under “Voting” in the Menu, entitled “Voting Rights for Incarcerated and Reentering Citizens”.

You can find free downloadable graphics including this one, at www.lwvpgh.org/resource_library.

A new short video is above.

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Part 2:

Completing the

Voter Registration Application

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Register to Vote Online or with Printed Application

ONLINE

Citizen will need:

PA Driver’s License, OR
PennDOT ID, OR
Last 4 digits of a Social Security #, but will have to upload signature

Only ONE form of ID is needed!

Optional: Close to each election, may apply for a Mail-in Ballot in the same online application.

PRINTED

Citizen will need:

PA Driver’s License, OR
PennDOT ID, OR
Last 4 digits of a Social Security #
Will sign the a declaration

Only ONE form of ID is needed!

Optional: Close to each election, may apply for a Mail-in Ballot in the same printed application.

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Click HERE for LWVPGH Instructional Video

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Click HERE for ONLINE Voter Registration

Scan Me

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Click HERE for Annotated Application (above)

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Click HERE for Paper PA Voter Registration Application

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Stuff happens: if you might not be at your

polling place on election day–you have options!

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Mail-in/Absentee Ballot

Application (alone)

Click HERE for this graphic

Click HERE for the application

Click HERE for the LWVPGH Mail-in Voting web page

Click HERE for an explainer on the “Annual Mail-in Request”

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14. If an individual is already a registered voter, the Mail-in/Absentee Ballot Application ALONE can be downloaded from the voter portal at www.vote.pa.gov.

This graphic provides tips for correctly completing the Mail-in ballot application alone.

The Mail-in and Absentee ballots are exactly the same, but the application process is slightly different.

When applying for an “Absentee” ballot, an approved reason for being absent from the polling place is required, however,
Act 77 allows PA voters to apply for a Mail-in ballot for any reason. It is much easier for individuals registering to vote, to use the new Voter Registration application

with the Mail-in Ballot application that is included in Section #12, or to apply for a Mail-in ballot alone with this downloadable application.

It’s important to complete the Mail-in Ballot so it counts. Many voters have had their Mail-in ballots discarded when they don’t follow the directions

and forget the secrecy envelope (resulting in so-called “naked ballots”) or forget to add signature AND current date (not birth date) to the return envelope.

See comprehensive Mail-in ballot information on our LWVPGH Web page above.
And, also linked is an explainer about the confusing process of requesting an “Annual Mail-in Ballot”. This explainer helps voters to better understand this option.

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Choose a Political Party?

Pennsylvania's CLOSED Primary-- what does it mean?

Only members of two major political parties can vote

Democrats choose Democrats; Republicans can choose Republicans--on different ballots

Winning candidates appear on General Election ballot.

Must I choose a party?

When you register, can choose any party, or none

No "Independent" party in PA; can choose "non-affiliated"

Minor parties: Libertarian and Green & "Political bodies": Keystone and Forward

Any voter can vote for any candidate in any party in the General Election.

Also, any voter in any party can vote in any election when

there is a ballot question, constitutional amendment or a special election.

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15. Many eligible voters have a question about whether they should join a political party.

In Pennsylvania, this is especially important because PRIMARIES IN PENNSYLVANIA are "CLOSED";

The Primary election is the FIRST and MOST important-- it happens in the SPRING and political parties choose their candidates for the FALL General Election when ANY eligible Voter can vote for ANY candidate.

What exactly does "Closed" mean? When registering to vote, citizens have the OPTION to enroll in one of the two MAJOR political parties, either Democratic or Republican.

The spring Primary is CLOSED to anyone who is not a member of one of these two major parties.

In other words, the Closed Primary is an election where Democrats choose Democrats on one ballot, and Republicans choose Republicans on a different ballot. The winners will be found on a single General Election ballot.

We've heard people complain that they don't like the candidates in a General Election--

Here's a Fun FACT: The REAL choice about who will be on the General Election Ballot happens in the SPRING Primary where 80% of candidates are chosen.

Registered voters can update or change party "affiliation" at any time at vote.pa.gov.

Another important point, many new and young voters want to register as Independents--but there is No "Independent Party" in PA. They can register as Green, Libertarian or “None” (non-affiliated)--But won't be able to vote in the Primary.

Other minor parties like the Green and Libertarian and "political bodies" like the Keystone and Forward parties may have candidates on GENERAL Election ballots in the fall if they meet specific requirements.

Remember, in a GENERAL Election, ANY registered voter can vote for ANY candidate in ANY party.

But to add a little to the confusion-- ANY registered voter MAY vote in ANY election (including the Primary) if there is a ballot question or referendum, a constitutional amendment, or a special election.

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Still Confused by Political Parties?

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Why Choose A Party graphic

16. Why Choose a Party?

Because in Pennsylvania, Primary Elections in the spring are CLOSED, which means, as we said, you can’t vote for candidates in the Primary unless you are registered as a Democrat or Republican.

So in Pennsylvania, voters registered as Republicans or Democrats have more voting power.

Political parties represent different view of how government should work and these views change over time. Typically, Democrats favor more government involvement in things like the social safety net and protecting the environment.

Typically, Republicans favor less government involvement and promote cuts in government programs and business regulations. But in these times, you can find exceptions to those basic guidelines.

Some voter choose to vote strategically. If you live in a town that leans strongly towards one party, some people choose to register with the dominant party to have a voice in the Primary, (voting for or against a candidate),

even if the party doesn’t line up with their views.

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Not sure what party to choose,

if any?

Take the

Pew Research Center/PBS quiz

Sample Question:

If you had to choose, would you rather have…

A smaller government providing fewer services

A bigger government providing more services

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17 Many voters are unsure and confused about choosing a party when they REGISTER to VOTE.

This is normal. You have not had a great deal of experience in looking at issues or candidates with a political party affiliation.

We strongly encourage you to take a few minutes and take the Pew Research Center/PBS quiz. It can help you sort out where you stand on issues.

PEW is a nonpartisan source of information.

It won’t exactly tell you whether you align with the Democrats, Republicans, or some other political party.
It will tell you where your stand on a continuum from Progressive to Conservative ideas.

Just remember that if you don’t join one of the two major parties in PA– Republican or Democratic, you won’t be able to vote in the spring election,

where you could have the most choice about candidates.

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Part 3: After You Register–

Additional Information

for Voters

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PA Voter ID Card

The PA Voter Registration ID Card shows:

name and address
polling place
political party
municipality, ward, precinct

AND can be used as approved Voter ID

at the polls on Election Day.

For help finding approved Voter ID see

VoteRiders.org

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20. It’s important to tell new registered voters to be on the lookout for their Voter Registration ID card:

In about 3 weeks after registering to vote, this official looking ENVELOPE will arrive in their mail...

...with the VOTER REGISTRATION ID CARD.

Most young people do not get snail mail, so they need to look for it and save it in a safe place.

The Voter Registration ID Card shows a voter’s name, address, Polling Place, municipality, ward and precinct, AND can be used as Voter ID at the polls on Election Day.

In Pennsylvania, approved photo or non-photo ID is only required for first-time voters or if voting the first time in a new polling place. Find a complete list at vote.pa.gov.

For help finding approved Voter ID see www.Voteriders.org.

If a new registered voter hasn’t received the ID card in 3 weeks, they should contact their County Election Office.

Phone numbers for those without internet: Allegheny County Elections Office: 412-350-4500

Not Allegheny County?--Call 1-717-787-5280

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& Know Before You Go

vote411.org & vote411.org/es

www.lwvpgh.org

Preview Your Ballot

Walkthrough Vote411 VIDEO

LWV Voters Guide

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21. In-person Voting in Your Polling Place

If you prefer to vote in person, there are a couple of ways to preview your ballot choices so you can do your research ahead of time and make yourself a "cheat sheet" for the polling place.

To preview candidates, the first way is the LWV Vote411 online voters' guide.

(Navigate to Vote 411– show where to type address.)

You can see who will be on your ballot and compare candidates, especially if they have answered the LWV questions.

You can choose your candidates and have the results sent to you via email, and take the “cheat sheet” to the polls.

The second way to preview candidates is at our LWVPGH website:

(Navigate to www.lwvpgh.org--Briefly walk through the Homepage, 2024 Election pages- example of “Mini guide”, or Voters Guide pages.

Voter Registration and Mail in pages, and Explainer and Graphics and Video pages.)

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Know Voters' Rights

Click HERE

for graphic

Click HERE

for Election Protection

Flyer

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For Help Call

866-OUR-VOTE

LWVPGH

“In-person Voting”

Web Page

Click HERE

for Provisional Ballot graphic

22. Poll workers are trained to help, but sometimes voters may be challenged about their eligibility.

It's important for citizens to know that if they believe they are eligible to vote, they have the RIGHT to vote and should not leave the polling place without voting- at least with a provisional ballot.

The “Know Your Rights” graphic has information about Provisional Voting and Poll Watchers. The LWVPGH In-person Voting web page has comprehensive information for new voters.

Both the "Know Your Rights" explainer and the “Election Protection” poster are downloadable and can be found on our website at lwvpgh.org

on the Explainers and Graphics web page under "Civic Education Resources" in the Menu.

The Election Protection Coalition is there 24/7 all year long for any citizen who needs help with elections and voting and especially with Election Day problems.

To talk to live operators, voters can call 866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683). Phone lines in other languages are available.

In Pittsburgh, B-PEP (Black-Political Empowerment Project) provides training before elections. (See www.b-pep.net)

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Conversation Starters:

Hi, are you registered to vote?

Would you like to check if you are a registered voter? It just takes a minute...

Is all your voter information updated? I can help...

Did you know the next election is...

Can I help you find nonpartisan candidate information?

We are helping voters today... do you have any questions?

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Resources

for You for the

Next Election

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PA Voter Website at www.vote.pa.gov

League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh Website at www.lwvpgh.org

Sources and Resources

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English

Spanish