Why I Use MAIL-IN Ballots, And You Should TOO!

An Article by Howard Schargel

It’s THE Legal Way to VOTE EARLY in Pennsylvania

I have voted early in each of the last few election cycles.

In the primary this past April, I decided to try and drop my ballot in a mailbox. I was able to track its journey to the Board of Elections on the county website to see it was received, processed and ultimately counted on election day.

I did this to be able to instill confidence in the process and can show my neighbors that the system works. Not everyone votes in every election cycle. While many may come out for a Presidential election, the vast majority don’t come out in off year elections. A great example was in 2023 when in Plumstead Township, we lost a Supervisor seat by 28 votes.

We have 1000 more Republicans than Democrats in this Township. We just didn’t turn out. Whatever the reason, apathy, or simply unawareness of an election, if people sign up to vote by mail the process is much easier.

How it Works – and it is Easy and Secure

You get your ballot a couple of weeks before the election. You can MAIL it using the USPS or you can simply drop it off at the (old) court house in a secure box. The box is watched by a person to ensure not more than one ballot is dropped off and there are cameras that record the process. Mail-In Ballot and Early Voting will be even more important to do for this November Presidential Election. Remember the last Presidential Elections when the lines were a solid 90-120 minutes? You can “move to the front of the line” by using Mail-In Ballots and not deal with Election Day crowds and delays.

The weather could be horrible on November 5, 2024. Why take the chance and lose your opportunity to vote? A handful of votes can be the difference between your candidate winning and losing.

If you get a Mail-In Ballot but don’t get it into the Board of Elections by the deadline, a worst-case scenario, you can bring your ballot to the poll, properly surrender it to the Judge of Elections at your Polling Location and it will be invalidated and secured. Then, you will be permitted to vote in person on Election Day.

But why delay? Why risk a sudden change in plans or life event to get in the way of you voting? Use Mail-In EARLY VOTING and your vote will be counted!

Try it! My entire family of 5 did it and it worked just fine!