Election Day in Pennsylvania: What you need to know before heading to the polls

Pennsylvania emerged as a battleground state and the two major parties are banking on a good turnout in Tuesday’s balloting.

Here’s what Pennsylvanians need to know before casting their votes.

When are polls open?

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. will be able to vote.

Can I still register to vote?

No. The deadline was Oct. 11.

What do I need to bring to the polls?

If you’re voting for the first time at your polling location, you’ll be required to show a form of photo ID:

–State or U.S. government issued ID
–U.S. passport
–U.S. Armed Forces ID
–student ID
–employee ID.

If you don’t have photo ID, provide one of the following:

–a non-photo state or government-issued ID
–firearm permit
–current utility bill
–bank statement
–paycheck or government check
–confirmation from acounty voter registration office

Voters are also permitted to bring a list of candidates on the ballot and any key issues or specific proposals on the ballot.​

Where’s my polling location?

Find out by entering your address at www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us.

What’s on my ballot?

In addition to the presidential election, there are several local races in Pennsylvania. An important race pits incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Toomey against Democratic challenger Katie McGinty.

Pennsylvaniansmust also decide whether to raise the retirement age of justices of the Supreme Court, judges, and magisterial district judges to 75. The current retirement age is 70.

In Philadelphia, residents will vote on a city bond question: Should the city borrow $184.3 million for capital spending in the areas of transit, streets and sanitation, municipal buildings, parks and museums, and economic and community development?

To see a full sample ballot, head to www.ballotpedia.org.

What if have a problem casting my vote?

As per federal law, “no person … shall intimidate, threaten, coerce … any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of [that] person to vote or to vote as he may choose.”

Anyone who experiences any form of intimidation or harassment at polling places can contact:

–The Election Protection Hotline ( 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA en Español)
–The U.S. Department of Justice Voting Rights Hotline (800-253-3931)
–Local officials, includingcounty clerk, elections commissioner, elections supervisor or state board of elections.

Philadelphia voters who experience difficulty casting their votes can contact the city’s Election Fraud Task Force at 215-686-9641, 9643 or 9644.