PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The state has made improvements to this General Election's mail-in ballots that should make it easier for older voters to cast their vote and create a smoother process for those collecting them.
State officials say the ballot design revisions are intended to eliminate errors and make it easier for NEPA's older residents to make their vote count.
Colorful envelopes, clearer instructions, and a printed year are all new revisions to the mail-in ballot.
The Pennsylvania Department of State, in partnership with the department of aging say the changes are, in part, to help out older voters.
"Looking at the data, most voters in Pennsylvania who vote by mail are over the age of 70 and we want to make sure voting is very accessible to them and they don't make some error in completing their ballots materials," said PA State Secretary Al Schmidt.
Schmidt says the department has required each county to have its own color secrecy envelope, the outer envelope in which the ballot is inserted.
There is also a three-step process explaining where and how to sign and date the envelope correctly.
"We changed the appearance to make it really stand out so when the postal service is delivering they are very separate and distinct and so the postal service can make sure and go to the extra lengths as they have committed to do to make sure those ballots are returned in time," Schmidt stated.
Peggy Manfre from Mountain Top, who wished to remain off camera, is a Luzerne County voter who voted by mail.
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She says she was pleased with the process.
"It's not confusing at all. It really isn't it's simple," said Manfre.
This will be the first General Election with these changes, however, they were already in place for the Primary Election in April.
What's entirely new is printing the year, 2024.
"By including the full year we are confident in the date is indicating that will minimize cases where particularly older voters putting their birthday," Schmidt added.
"I'm not the brightest person in the world but it looked pretty easy to me," Vinnie Pierandozzi from Bear Creek said.
Pierandozzi is 71 years old and will be voting in person, but feels mail-in voting is a good choice and shouldn't cause problems.
Schmidt says in the past, around one percent of ballots were rejected due to a defect.
Schmidt recommends if you have an issue or concern with filling out your mail-in ballot, reach out to the PA Department of State or your county's Bureau of Elections.
