THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS^®
OF GREATER PITTSBURGH, INC.

VOTING FAQ

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LWV Voters Guide to Spring '09 Primary Election

• General Information
• Justice of the Supreme Court
• Judge of the Superior Court
• Judge of Commonwealth Court
• Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
• Allegheny County Administration: Sheriff
• Allegheny County Council, Districts 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, and 13
• Pittsburgh Administration: Mayor
• Pittsburgh City Council, Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8
• Pittsburgh School Director, Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9
• Local Ballot Questions in Ben Avon Heights and Bradford Woods

This Voters Guide was prepared by the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh and the League of Women Voters Education Fund. The League is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse or oppose any political party or candidate. Its purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed participation of citizens.

The Voters Guide listings are based entirely on material submitted by the candidates. In cases in which questionnaires were not returned, only the candidate's name and party are listed.

The guide lists all candidates in the May 19 Primary Election for Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge of the Superior Court, Judge of the Commonwealth Court, Judge of Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County Sheriff, Allegheny County Council: Districts 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 13, City of Pittsburgh Mayor, City of Pittsburgh Council, Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, and Pittsburgh School Director, Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. The candidates’ names are listed as they will appear on the ballot. The party of the governor is, by practice, given the first position on the ballot in Pennsylvania.

There are also ballot questions for which all registered voters may vote.

Study the guide and choose the candidates for whom you want to vote. You may print the guide and take it into the voting booth to help you. Nothing in this guide should be construed as an endorsement of any candidate by the League of Women Voters.

Voters who are not sure if they are registered should call the county Allegheny County Elections Division, 412-350-4510. To find out what district you live in call the League of Women Voters Community Information Center, 412-261-4284, Mon-Thurs 9-3.

Voting in a Primary Election
To vote in this primary election you must have been registered in either the Democratic or Republican Party by April 20, 2009. Your registration is permanent if:
o You did not change your address
o You did not change your name

Prisoners' Rights
You are eligible to vote if you are awaiting trial.
If you are a prisoner in Pennsylvania, you are eligible to vote if
o You were convicted of a misdemeanor.
o You are registered properly.
o You have obtained an absentee ballot.

Identification Requirements for New Voters
If you are a new voter or if you are voting at a polling place for the first time then you must bring your voter ID card or a photo ID such as a driver's license, student ID or some other form of Federal or State government issued ID. Some forms of non-photo ID are also acceptable such as a firearm permit, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check. Click here for a list of acceptable forms of ID. If you do not have any acceptable ID then you must be allowed to vote by provisional ballot.

Provisional Ballots
If your right to vote is challenged at the polls on election day, you are in the right polling place, and the problem cannot be resolved by the judge of elections, you have the right to ask for and vote by provisional ballot. If it is later determined that you were eligible to vote your ballot will be counted. You will be given instructions on how to determine if your vote was counted.

Absentee Voting
Registered voters who are ill, disabled, or will be absent from the municipality on Election Day may vote by absentee ballot. Completed APPLICATIONS for absentee ballots must be received by the county Board of Elections by 5 P.M., Tuesday, May 12. Completed absentee BALLOTS must be received back at the Board of Elections by 5 P.M. on Friday, May 15. If an emergency arises (unexpected illness or business trip) after the Tuesday application deadline, call the Elections Division 412-350-4520 for information on emergency absentee voting. Proof of emergency may be required. An emergency application and ballot can be obtained and voted by 5 P.M. on Friday, May 15. Any disabled voter having questions regarding the accessibility of a polling place should consult the Elections Division at 412-350-4520.

Write-in Voting
For write-in voting information, check with the workers at your polling place before entering the voting booth.

Election Day Problems
If your right to vote is challenged at the polls on Election Day and the problem cannot be resolved at the polling place, the judge of elections at the polling place may telephone the county Board of Elections. The problem could be resolved by phone if your name appears on the county records. If it does not and you want to try to resolve the problem, then you will have to go in person to the county Board of Elections where a judge from the Court of Common Pleas will be on duty to resolve election problems.

This page is maintained by Suzanne Broughton.  Page last revised on April 29, 2009.

Permission is granted to freely copy this document in electronic form, or to print it for non-commercial use as long as credit is given to the League of Women Voters.