Do you have questions about voting in Pennsylvania? We’re here to help!
A general election is held annually on the first Tuesday of each November. Federal and state-level officials are up for reelection in even-numbered years, while local leaders stand for office in odd-numbered years. A primary election is conducted on the third Tuesday of May, except in presidential election years, in which it is moved to the fourth Tuesday of April.
To vote in Pennsylvania, citizens must complete a voter registration form no later than 15 days prior to the election. Individuals can register to vote for the first time, update their address, document a change of name, or alter their party affiliation electronically through a state website. Due to changes in Pennsylvania law, beginning in 2020, residents have an expanded number of options for casting their ballots:
- Traditional in-person voting is conducted from 7AM to 8PM on Election Day only. Individuals who are voting at a polling place for the first time are required to provide identification. If you do not possess a form of photo identification, such as a driver's license, you may provide a non-photo document, such as a utility bill or a paycheck.
- Mail-in ballots may be requested online up to 50 days prior to Election Day. While signing up online, voters have the option to become a permanent mail-in voter, which means that ballots will be automatically sent to their address in future years. Ballot requests will be processed through 5PM on the Tuesday prior to the election. Completed ballots must be received by the Allegheny County Elections Bureau by 8PM on Election Day. Note that, for the November 2020 election, the US Supreme Court has ruled that Pennsylvania must count ballots that are postmarked by Election Day and received up to three days later. It is not anticipated that such rule will be in place for future elections, and residents should both request and return their ballots as quickly as possible to ensure that they are processed. Further note that state law requires citizens to place their completed ballots within a smaller designated secrecy envelope and to then place this smaller envelope inside the larger return envelope. The voter must also sign the declaration form on the rear of the exterior envelope. Failure to use the secrecy envelope or to add a signature will result in the ballot being rejected.
- Voters may visit the Allegheny County Elections Bureau at their office at 542 Forbes Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh to participate in a version of early voting. Citizens will be able to request, complete, and submit a mail-in ballot form at this office. Alternatively, voters who have requested mail-in ballots may choose to hand deliver them to this location. This service will be available during this regular business hours, which are on weekdays from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. The county supplements this service by providing satellite voting centers at various locations on weekends. Dates and locations will vary. For updated information, view the county website.
Brentwood Borough contains eight (8) distinct polling places, which are listed as follows:
Districts 1 and 9: Moore Elementary School, 3809 Dalewood St.
District 2: Concordia Lutheran Church, 3109 Brownsville Rd. (event hall, lower level entrance)
Districts 3 and 5: Elroy Elementary School, 3129 Elroy St.
District 4: garage at private residence, 3209 Willett Rd.
District 6: Brentwood Municipal Building, 3624 Brownsville Rd. (police garage, Marylea Avenue entrance)
District 7: St. Sylvester’s Catholic School, 32 West Willock Rd.
District 8: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 4048 Brownsville Rd.
District 10: Brentwood Public Library, 3501 Brownsville Rd. (Community Room, lower level entrance)
For an interactive guide to determining the location at which to you can cast your ballot, visit the VotesPA website and enter your physical address.
