COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

ELECTION CALENDAR FOR 2012

(All time set forth in this calendar is prevailing time.)

NOTE: ALL DATES IN THIS CALENDAR ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT

NOTICE IN THE EVENT OF PASSAGE OF ANY AMENDATORY LEGISLATION DURING

THE SESSIONS OF 2011–2012.

APRIL 24, 2012 - GENERAL PRIMARY

NOVEMBER 6, 2012 - GENERAL ELECTION

DECEMBER 27, 2011 - Last day for the Secretary of any political party to file in the office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH a certified copy of the party rules.

JANUARY 9 Last day for a presidential candidate to notify the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH that he/she is a candidate for the nomination of President of the United States and that he/she authorizes delegates (if party rules provide for committed delegates) to pledge their support for him/her.

JANUARY 24 Last day for each county board of elections to transmit to the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH a list of the organizations which qualify as political parties within the county pursuant to Section 801(b) of the Pennsylvania Election Code, 25 P.S. Section 2831 (b).

JANUARY 24 Last day for the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH to transmit to each county board of elections a list of the organizations which qualify as political parties within the State pursuant to Section 801(a) of the Election Code, 25 P.S. Section 2831 (a).

JANUARY 24 Last day for the chairmen of county committees (and in Philadelphia the chairmen of the city committees) of each party to send to each county board of elections a written notice setting forth all party offices to be filled at the ensuing primary.

JANUARY 24 Last day for the chairmen of State Committees of political parties to forward to the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH and to the respective county boards of elections a written notice setting forth the number of the members of the State Committee and the number of Delegates and Alternate delegates to be elected at the said primary in each county or in any district or part of a district within each county.

JANUARY 24 Last day for the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH to send to the county boards of elections a written notice designating the public offices for which candidates are to be nominated at the ensuing primary and for which nominations candidates are required to file nomination petitions in the office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

JANUARY 24 First legal day to circulate and FILE nomination petitions.


JANUARY 31 Not earlier than this day nor later than February 7, the county boards of elections shall begin to publish in newspapers the names of all public offices for which nominations are to be made and the names of all party offices for which candidates are to be elected at the ensuing primary.

JANUARY 31 Last day for all candidates and all political committees and lobbyists to file annual expense reports in the office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH or the county boards of elections. Such reports shall be complete as of December 31, 2011.

FEBRUARY 14 Last day to circulate and FILE nomination petitions.

FEBRUARY 14 Last day for STATE-LEVEL PUBLIC OFFICE CANDIDATES to FILE “Statements of Financial Interests” with the State Ethics Commission, Room 309 Finance Building, P.O. Box 11470, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1470. A copy of the “Statement” must also be appended to the nomination petition. Last day for candidates for county or local-level public office to file the “Statement” with the governing authority of the political subdivisions in which they are candidates. A copy of the “Statement” must also be appended to the nomination petition.

FEBRUARY 15 First legal day to circulate and FILE nomination papers nominating independent candidates of political bodies or candidates of minor political parties.

FEBRUARY 15 Last day for any business entity which was awarded non-bid contracts from the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions during 2011 to report to the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH an itemized list of all political contributions made during 2011 by (1) any officer, director, associate, partner, limited partner, individual owner or member of their immediate family when the contribution exceeded an aggregate of one thousand dollars ($1,000) by any individual; or (2) any employee or members of his or her immediate family when the contribution exceeded an aggregate of one thousand dollars ($1,000).

FEBRUARY 21 Last day to file OBJECTIONS to nomination petitions.

FEBRUARY 22 Day for casting of lots in the Office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH for position of names upon the primary ballot.

FEBRUARY 24 Last day that may be fixed by the Court of Common Pleas or the Commonwealth Court for hearings on objections that have been filed to nomination petitions.

FEBRUARY 29 Last day, if possible, for the Court of Common Pleas or the Commonwealth Court to render decisions in cases involving objections to nomination petitions.

FEBRUARY 29 Last day for candidates who have filed nomination petitions for the primary election to withdraw.

MARCH 5 Last day for the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH to transmit to the county boards of elections a list of all candidates who filed nomination petitions with the Secretary and who are not known to have withdrawn or been disqualified.

MARCH 5 First day before the primary election on which official applications for civilian absentee ballots from certain persons listed below may be received by the county boards of elections. (The preceding includes qualified registered electors who will be absent from the Commonwealth or municipality of residence by reason of occupation, business or duties; persons unable to go to the polls because of illness or physical disability; persons observing a religious holiday; county employees with duties on election day relating to the conduct of the election; persons employed by the State or Federal government and their spouses or dependents who are within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia but absent from their municipality of residence. All other qualified absentee electors may apply at any time.)

MARCH 5 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections must commence to deliver or mail to qualified electors listed below, who have included with the absentee ballot application a statement that the elector is unable to vote during the regular absentee balloting period by reason of living or performing military service in an extremely remote or isolated area of the world, an official absentee ballot or special write-in absentee ballot if the official absentee ballot is not yet printed. (The preceding includes qualified electors who are in the military service of the United States, spouses and dependents of the U.S. Armed Forces, Merchant Marine members and their spouses and dependents, U.S. government employees overseas and their spouses and dependents and other qualified electors who expect to be or are outside the territorial limits of the United States during the entire period the polls are open.) NOTE: As additional applications are received, absentee ballots or special write- in absentee ballots must be mailed to such electors within 48 hours after approval.

MARCH 9 As soon as possible after the ballots are printed and in no event later than this day, the county boards of elections must begin to deliver or mail all absentee ballots or special write-in ballots for the primary election to all qualified electors listed as follows. (The preceding includes qualified electors who are in the military service of the United States, spouses and dependents of the U.S. Armed Forces, Merchant Marine members and their spouses and dependents, U.S. government employees overseas and their spouses and dependents and other qualified electors who expect to be or are outside the territorial limits of the United States during the entire period the polls are open.) NOTE: As additional applications are received, absentee ballots or special write- in absentee ballots must be mailed to such electors within 48 hours after approval.

MARCH 13 Last day for candidates for state- wide offices and treasurers of political committees and lobbyists which have expended money for the purpose of influencing the nomination of such candidates to file campaign expense reports or statements due by the Sixth Tuesday before the primary election in the Office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH. Such reports shall be complete as of March 5. NOTE: Postmarks are acceptable as proof of timely filing where the report is post- marked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than the day prior to the filing deadline.

MARCH 26 Last day to REGISTER before the primary election. NOTE: To be processed for the ensuing election a voter registration application must be received as follows:

• Voter registration applications submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in conjunction with an application for or renewal of a motor vehicle driver’s license must be received by the Department of Transportation not later than the deadline to register.
  
  

• Voter Registration Mail Applications must be postmarked no later than the deadline to register. In the case of missing or illegible postmarks, the Voter Registration Mail Application must be received no later than five days after the deadline to register.
  
  

• Voter registration applications submitted to offices in Pennsylvania that provide public assistance, to the county clerk of Orphan’s Court, including the Marriage License Bureau, offices in Pennsylvania that provide State-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities and armed forces recruitment centers, must be submitted to the office not later than the deadline to register.
  
  

• All other voter registration applications must be received by the deadline to register.
  
  

MARCH 26 Last day to change party enrollment or non-partisan enrollment before the primary election.

APRIL 9 Last day before the primary election for any person to file a petition with the county registration commission appealing against rejection of registration.

APRIL 10 As soon as possible after ballots are printed and in no event later than this day, the county boards of elections must begin to deliver or mail all absentee ballots for the primary election. NOTE: As additional applications are received, the ballots must be mailed within 48 hours after approval.

APRIL 13 Last day for all candidates and treasurers of political committees and lobbyists which have expended money for the purpose of influencing the nomination of candidates to file campaign expense reports or statements due by the Second Friday before the primary in the Office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH and/or the county boards of elections, as the case may be. Such reports shall be complete as of April 9. NOTE: Postmarks are acceptable as proof of timely filing where the report is post- marked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than the day prior to the filing deadline.

APRIL 14 Not earlier than this day nor later than April 21, the county boards of elections shall publish in newspapers a notice of the date and hours of voting for any special elections, the names of offices to be elected and the names of the candidates at such special elections, the texts and explanations of Constitutional Amendments and other questions to be voted upon, and the places at which such elections are to be held in the various election districts.

APRIL 16 Last day before the primary election on which an elector, who suffered a physical disability which requires the elector to have assistance in voting, may personally make application to the appropriate county registration commission to have such fact entered on the elector’s registration card.   NOTE: If the disability is not recorded on the elector’s registration card, the elector may receive assistance if the elector completes a declaration in the polling place.

APRIL 16 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections must prepare and submit a report to the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH containing a statement of the total number of electors registered in each election district, together with a breakdown of registration by each political party or other designation.

APRIL 17 Last day before the primary election on which official applications for civilian absentee ballots from certain persons listed as follows may be received by the county boards of elections. (The preceding includes qualified registered electors who will be absent from the Commonwealth or municipality of residence by reason of occupation, business or duties; persons unable to go to the polls because of illness or physical disability; persons observing a religious holiday; county employees with duties on election day relating to the conduct of the election; persons employed by the State or Federal government and their spouses or dependents who are within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia but absent from their municipality of residence. Provided further that any of the preceding qualified electors who become ill or are called away from home by business or duties, which fact was not known or could not reasonably be known prior to the preceding date, are entitled to execute and file an Emergency Application any time prior to 5:00 P.M. on the Friday preceding the primary. The county boards of elections will supply the forms. Qualified electors who become ill or are called away from home by reason of occupation, business or duties, which fact was not known or could not reasonably be known prior to 5:00 PM on the Friday preceding the primary, may file a request for an absentee ballot with the
appropriate court of common pleas at any time prior to 8:00 PM on the day of the primary.)

APRIL 17 From this day, the county boards of elections shall make the Registered Absentee Voters File available for public inspection.

APRIL 17 From this day and until the returns are certified, the county boards of elections shall post the Military, Veterans and Emergency Civilian Absentee Voters’ list.

APRIL 19 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections shall make available for public inspection the forms of the ballots and ballot labels which shall be used in each election district at the primary election.

APRIL 19 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections, upon request, shall furnish without charge to each candidate whose name is printed on the primary election ballot three specimen ballots for the entire district in which such candidate is to be voted for. (The candidate may, at his or her own expense, have printed on different colored paper as many copies as he or she requires for conducting his or her campaign.)

APRIL 19 Not later than this day, the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH must publicly report the total number of registered electors for each political party or other designation in each county. 


APRIL 20 All absentee ballots, except those received from military and overseas electors as defined by sections 1301(a) to (h) of the Pennsylvania Election Code, 25 P.S. § 3146.1(a) – (h), and those received from emergency absentee electors who become ill or are called away from home after 5:00 P.M. on this day, must be received by the county boards of elections not later than 5:00 P.M. on this day to be counted.

APRIL 21 Not earlier than this day nor later than three-quarters of an hour before the time set for the opening of the polls for the primary election, the county boards of elections shall deliver to the judges of election the keys which unlock the operating mechanisms of the voting machines.

APRIL 23 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections shall deliver the necessary ballots and supplies to the judges of election.

APRIL 24 GENERAL PRIMARY: Polls shall remain open continuously between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. NOTE: The Court of Common Pleas shall be in session from 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. except in judicial districts having only one judge, in which case the court shall be in session from 7:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon; from 2:00 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. and from 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

APRIL 25 By 2:00 A.M. on this day, the judges of election must return to the county boards of elections all envelopes; supplies, including all uncast provisional ballots; and returns, including all provisional ballots and absentee ballots cast in the election district.

APRIL 25 By 3:00 A.M. on this day, the county boards of elections must submit to the Department of State returns received from the judges of election for each office for which a candidate must file a nomination petition with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

APRIL 25 First day to change party or non- partisan enrollment after the primary.

APRIL 25 First day to REGISTER after the primary election.

APRIL 27 On this day, the Return Boards meet at 9:00 A.M. to canvass and compute the votes cast at the primary election. NOTE: Any petition to open a ballot box or to recanvass the votes on a voting machine shall be filed no later than five (5) days after the completion of the computational canvassing of all the returns of the county by the county board of elections.

MAY 1 All absentee ballots from military and overseas electors, as defined by sections 1301(a) to (h) of the Pennsylvania Election Code, 25 P.S. § 3146.1(a) – (h), must be received by the county boards of elections not later than 5:00 P.M. on this day and must be postmarked not later than April 23 to be counted.

MAY 1 No later than 5:00 P.M. on this day, the county boards of elections must submit to the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH unofficial returns for all statewide offices and ballot questions that appeared on the ballot in every election district throughout the Commonwealth.

MAY 2 On this day, the Return Boards meet to canvass absentee ballots received from military and overseas electors after 5:00 P.M. on April 20 and no later than 5:00 P.M. on May 1.

MAY 3 No later than 5:00 P.M. on this day, the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH must issue an order for a recount or recanvass if it is determined, based on the unofficial returns submitted by the county boards of elections, that a statewide candidate or ballot question that appeared on the ballot in every election district throughout the Commonwealth was defeated by a margin of 1⁄2 of 1 percent or less.

MAY 9 Last day on which a recount or recanvass ordered by the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH can be scheduled to begin.

MAY 11 On this day, candidates receiving tie votes at the primary election cast lots at 12:00 Noon before the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH or the county boards of elections, as the case may be, to determine who will be entitled to the nomination. (If the fact of the tie vote is not au thoritatively determined until after May 9, the time for casting lots shall be 12:00 Noon on the second day after the fact of such tie vote is authoritatively determined.)

MAY 14 Last day to file a petition to contest the nomination of any candidate at the primary election. (Not applicable to elections of the first class.)

MAY 14 Last day for the county boards of elections to file with the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH returns from the primary election.

MAY 15 No later than 12:00 Noon on this day, a recount or recanvass ordered by the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH must be completed.

MAY 16 By 12:00 Noon on the day after completion of a recount or recanvass ordered by the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH, but no later than 12:00 Noon on this day, the county boards of elections must submit to the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH the results of the re- count or recanvass.

MAY 24 Last day for all candidates and treasurers of political committees and lobbyists to file campaign expense reports and statements due by 30 days after the primary election in the Office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH and/or the county boards of elections as the case may be. Such report shall be complete as of May 14. NOTE: Postmarks are acceptable as proof of timely filing where the report is post- marked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than the day prior to the filing deadline.

MAY 24 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections shall file with the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH a statement of expenses incurred in preparing, handling, mailing, delivering, counting and storing such official Military, Veterans, and other absentee ballots as they are entitled by law to receive compensation for in the sum of sixty cents each.

MAY 24 Last day for each county board of elections to submit to the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation a report stating the total number of votes cast in each voting district for each candidate for any statewide Office, United States Representative, State Senator and State Representative.

MAY 30 Not later than this day, members of a State Political Party Committee elected at the primary shall meet for organization at such hour and place as shall be designated by the State Chairman of each political party. The State Committee of each political party may make such rules for government of the party in the State not inconsistent with the law as it deems expedient. No such rules shall be effective until a certified copy thereof has been filed in the office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

JUNE 4 On this day, the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH shall select by lottery for audit of campaign expense reports three percent of the total number of public offices for which candidates must file nomination petitions or papers with the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

AUGUST 1 Last day to circulate and FILE nomination papers nominating political body candidates (including independent candidates) or minor political party candidates.

AUGUST 1 Last day for STATE-LEVEL POLITICAL BODY CANDIDATES (INCLUDING INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES) AND MINOR POLITICAL PARTY CANDIDATES to FILE “State-ments of Financial Interests” with the State Ethics Commission, Room 309 Finance Building, P.O. Box 11470, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1470. A copy of the “Statement” must also be appended to the nomination papers. Last day for political body candidates (including independent candidates) and minor political party candidates for county or local-level public office to file the “Statement” with the governing authority of the political subdivision in which they are candidates. A copy of the “Statement” must also be appended to the nomination papers.

AUGUST 8 Last day for candidates of political bodies who have filed nomination papers to withdraw.

AUGUST 8 Last day to file objections to nomination papers nominating political body candidates (including independent candidates) or minor political party candidates.

AUGUST 11 Last day that may be fixed by the Court for hearings on objections to nomination papers.

AUGUST 13 Last day for candidates nominated at the primary election by write-in votes to pay the filing fee; otherwise the party nomination will be declared vacant. NOTE: State-level write-in winners of nominations from the Primary Election must FILE “Statements of Financial Interests” with the State Ethics Commission, Room 309 Finance Building, P.O. Box 11470, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1470 within 30 days of having been nominated unless such person resigns nomination within that time. County and local-level write-in winners of nominations from the primary election must file the “Statement” with the governing authority of the political subdivisions where they were nominated within 30 days of having been nominated unless such person resigns nomination within that time.

AUGUST 13 Last day for candidates who were nominated by a political party to withdraw.

AUGUST 16 Last day, if possible, for the Court to render decisions in cases involving objections to nomination papers.

AUGUST 23 Last day to file substituted nomination certificates to fill vacancies caused by the withdrawal of candidates nominated at the primary election or by nomination papers. (Substituted nomination certificates to fill vacancies caused by the death of candidates nominated at primaries or by nomination papers shall be filed prior to the day on which ballot printing is started. Objections to substituted nomination certificates must be filed within three (3) days after the filing of the substituted nomination certificate.) NOTE: State-level candidates nominated by substituted nomination certificate, nomination certificate or nomination papers (see August 23, September 17 and September 24) must file a “Statement of Financial Interests” with the substituted nomination certificate, nomination certificate or nomination papers and with the State Ethics Commission, Room 309 Finance Building, P.O. Box 11470, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1470. County and local-level candidates nominated by substituted nomination certificate, nomination certificate or nomination papers (see August 23, September 17 and September 24) must file a copy of the “Statement” with the substituted nomination certificate, nomination certificate or nomination papers and with the governing authority of the political subdivision where they are nominated.

AUGUST 28 Last day for the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH to transmit to each county board of elections a list, as known to exist at that time, of all candidates to be voted on at the November election and a copy of all Constitutional Amendments and other questions to be voted on at the November election together with a statement of the form in which they are to be placed.

AUGUST 28 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections must commence to deliver or mail to qualified electors listed below, who have included with their absentee ballot application a statement that the elector is unable to vote during the regular absentee balloting period by reason of living or performing military service in an extremely remote or isolated area of the world, an official absentee ballot or special write-in absentee ballot if the official absentee ballot is not yet printed. (The above includes qualified electors who are in the military service of the United States, spouses and dependents of the U.S. Armed Forces, Merchant Marine members and their spouses and dependents, U.S. government employees overseas and their spouses and dependents and other qualified electors who expect to be or are outside the territorial limits of the United States during the entire period the polls are open.) NOTE: As additional applications are received, absentee ballots or special write- in absentee ballots must be mailed to such electors within 48 hours after approval.

SEPTEMBER 17 First day before the November election on which official applications for civilian absentee ballots from certain persons listed as follows may be received by the county boards of elections. (The preceding includes qualified registered electors who will be absent from the Commonwealth or municipality of residence by reason of occupation, business or duties; persons unable to go to the polls because of illness or physical disability; persons observing a religious holiday; county employees with duties on election day relating to the conduct of the election; persons employed by the State or Federal government and their spouses or dependents who are within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia but absent from their municipality of residence. All other qualified absentee electors may apply at any time.)

SEPTEMBER 17 Last day before the November election for political parties or minor political parties to file nomination certificates or for political bodies to file nomination papers in the Office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH, or the county boards of elections, as the case may be, to fill vacancies in public offices which occur for any cause at a time when the Constitution or laws of Pennsylvania require them to be filled at the ensuing election, but at a time when such nominations cannot be made under any other provision of the Election Code (Sections 993-999.1 of the Election Code, 25 P.S. §§ 2953-2960).

SEPTEMBER 20 Last day for withdrawal of candidates nominated under the provisions of Sections 993-999.1 of the Election Code, 25 P.S. §§ 2953-2960.

SEPTEMBER 20 Last day to file objections to nomination certificates and papers under the provisions of Sections 993-999.1 of the Election Code, 25 P.S. §§ 2953-2960.

SEPTEMBER 21 As soon as possible after ballots are printed and in no event later than this day, the county boards of elections must begin to deliver or mail all absentee ballots or special write-in ballots for the election to all qualified electors listed below. (The preceding includes qualified electors who are in the military service of the United States, spouses and dependents of the U.S. Armed Forces, Merchant Marine members and their spouses and dependents, U.S. government employees overseas and their spouses and dependents and other qualified electors who expect to be or are outside the territorial limits of the United States during the entire period the polls are open.) NOTE: As additional applications are received, absentee ballots or special write- in absentee ballots must be mailed to such electors within 48 hours after approval.

SEPTEMBER 24 Last day for a court hearing on objections to nomination certificates and papers under the provisions of Sections 993-999.1 of the Election Code, 25 P.S. §§ 2953-2960.

SEPTEMBER 24 Last day to file substituted nomination certificates under the provisions of Sections 993-999.1 of the Election Code, 25 P. S. §§ 2953-2960. NOTE: Substituted nomination certificates to fill vacancies caused by the death of candidates nominated under the provisions of Sections 993-999.1 of the Election Code, 25 P. S. §§ 2953-2960, must be filed in the Office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH or the county boards of elections, as the case may be, at any time prior to the day on which the printing of ballots is started. Objections to substituted nomination certificates, under the provisions of Sections 993-999.1 of the Election Code, must be filed within three days after the filing of the substituted nomination certificate.

SEPTEMBER 25 Last day for candidates for statewide offices and treasurers of political committees and lobbyists, which have expended money for the purpose of influencing the election of such candidates, to file campaign expense reports and statements due by the Sixth Tuesday before the election in the office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH. Such report shall be complete as of September 17. NOTE: Postmarks are acceptable as proof of timely filing where the report is post- marked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than the day prior to the filing deadline.

OCTOBER 9 Last day to REGISTER before the November Election. NOTE: To be processed for the ensuing election a voter registration application must be received as follows:

• Voter registration applications submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in conjunction with an application for or renewal of a motor vehicle driver’s license must be received by the Department of Transportation not later than the deadline to register.
  
  

• Voter Registration Mail Applications must be postmarked no later than the deadline to register. In the case of missing or illegible postmarks, the Voter Registration Mail Applications must be received not later than five days after the deadline to register.
  
  

• Voter registration applications submitted to offices in Pennsylvania that provide public assistance, to the county clerk of Orphan’s Court, including the Marriage License Bureau, offices in Pennsylvania that provide State-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities and armed forces recruitment centers, must be submitted to the office not later than the deadline to register.
  
  

• All other voter registration applications must be received by the deadline to register.
  
  

OCTOBER 9 Last day to change party enrollment or non-partisan enrollment before the November election.

OCTOBER 22 Last day before the November election for any person to file a petition with the county registration commission appealing against a rejection of registration.

OCTOBER 23 As soon as possible after ballots are printed and in no event later than this day, the county boards of elections must begin to deliver or mail all absentee ballots for the November election.  NOTE: As additional applications are received, ballots shall be mailed within 48 hours after approval.

OCTOBER 26 Last day for all candidates and treasurers of political committees and lobbyists, which have expended money for the purpose of influencing the election of candidates, to file campaign expense reports or statements due by the Second Friday before the election in the Office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH and/or the county boards of elections, as the case may be. Such reports shall be complete as of October 22. NOTE: Postmarks are acceptable as proof of timely filing where the report is post- marked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than the day prior to the filing deadline.

OCTOBER 27 Not earlier than this day nor later than November 3, the county boards of elections shall publish in newspapers a notice of the date and hours of voting for the November Election, the names of offices to be elected, the names of the candidates, the texts and explanations of Constitutional Amendments and other questions to be voted upon, and the places at which the election is to be held in the various election districts.

OCTOBER 29 Last day before the November election on which an elector, who has suffered a physical disability which requires the elector to have assistance in voting, may personally make application to the appropriate county registration commission to have such fact entered on the elector’s registration card. NOTE: If the disability is not recorded on the elector’s registration card, the elector may receive assistance if the elector completes a declaration in the polling place.

OCTOBER 29 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections must prepare and submit a report to the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH containing a statement of the total number of electors registered in each election district, together with a breakdown of registration by each political party or other designation.

OCTOBER 30 Last day before the November election on which official applications for civilian absentee ballots from certain persons listed as follows may be received by the county boards of elections. (The preceding includes qualified registered electors who will be absent from the Commonwealth or municipality of residence by reason of occupation, business or duties; persons unable to go to the polls because of illness or physical disability; persons observing a religious holiday; county employees with duties on election day relating to the conduct of the election; persons employed by the State or Federal government and their spouses or dependents who are within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia but absent from their municipality of residence. Provided further that any of the above qualified electors who become ill or are called away from home by business or duties, which fact was not known or could not reasonably be known prior to the above date, are entitled to execute and file an Emergency Application any time prior to 5:00 P.M. on the Friday preceding the November Election. The county boards of elections will supply the forms. Qualified electors who become ill or are called away from home by reason of occupation, business or duties, which fact was not known or could not reasonably be known prior to 5:00 PM on the Friday preceding the election, may file a request for an absentee ballot with the appropriate court of common pleas at any time prior to 8:00 PM on the day of the election.)

OCTOBER 30 From this day, the county boards of elections shall make the Registered Absentee Voters’ File available for public inspection.

OCTOBER 30 From this day and until the returns are certified, the county boards of elections shall post the Military, Veterans and Emergency Civilian Absentee Voters’ list.

NOVEMBER 1 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections shall make available for public inspection the forms of the ballots and ballot labels which shall be used in each election district at the November election.

NOVEMBER 1 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections, upon request, shall deliver, without charge, to county chairmen or other authorized representatives of each political party and political body in the county, two specimen ballots or diagrams for each election district in the county in which their candidates are to be voted for. (Such political party or political body may, at its own expense, have printed on different colored paper as many copies as it requires for conducting its campaign.)

NOVEMBER 1 Not later than this day, the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH must publicly report the total number of registered electors for each political party or other designation in each county.

NOVEMBER 2 All absentee ballots, except those received from military and overseas electors as defined by sections 1301(a) to (h) of the Pennsylvania Election Code, 25 P.S. § 3146.1(a) – (h), and those received from emergency absentee electors who become ill or are called away from home after 5:00 P.M. on this day, must be received by the county boards of elections not later than 5:00 P.M. on this day to be counted.

NOVEMBER 3 Not earlier than this day nor later than three-quarters of an hour before the time set for the opening of the polls for the November election, the county boards of elections shall deliver to the judges of elections the keys which unlock the operating mechanisms of the voting machines.

NOVEMBER 5 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections shall deliver the necessary ballots and supplies to the judges of election.

NOVEMBER 6 GENERAL ELECTION: Polls shall remain open continuously between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. NOTE: The Court of Common Pleas shall be in session from 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. except in judicial districts having one judge, in which case the court shall be in session from 7:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon; from 2:00 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. and from 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

NOVEMBER 7 By 2:00 A.M. on this day, the judges of election must return to the county boards of elections all envelopes; supplies, including all uncast provisional ballots; and returns, including all provisional ballots and absentee ballots cast in the election district.

NOVEMBER 7 By 3:00 A.M. on this day, the county boards of elections must submit to the Department of State returns received from the judges of election for each office for which a candidate must file a nomination petition with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

NOVEMBER 7 First day to change party or non-partisan enrollment after the election.

NOVEMBER 7 First day to REGISTER after the election.

NOVEMBER 9 On this day, the Return Boards meet at 9:00 A.M. to canvass and compute the votes cast at the November election. NOTE: Any petition to open a ballot box or to recanvass the votes on a voting machine shall be filed no later than five (5) days after the completion of the computational canvassing of all the returns of the county by the county board of elections.

NOVEMBER 13 All absentee ballots from military and overseas electors, as defined by sections 1301(a) to (h) of the Pennsylvania Election Code, 25 P.S. Sections 3146.1(a) – (h), must be received by the county boards of elections not later than 5:00 P.M. on this day and must be postmarked not later than November 5 to be counted.

NOVEMBER 13 No later than 5:00 P.M. On this day, the county boards of elections must submit to the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH unofficial returns for all statewide offices and ballot questions that appeared on the ballot in every election district throughout the Commonwealth.

NOVEMBER 14 On this day, the Return Boards meet to canvass absentee ballots received from military and overseas electors after 5:00 P.M. on November 2 and no later than 5:00 P.M. on November 13.

NOVEMBER 15 No later than 5:00 P.M. on this day, the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH must issue an order for a recount or recanvass if it is determined, based on the unofficial returns submitted by the county boards of elections, that a state-wide candidate or ballot question that appeared on the ballot in every election district throughout the Commonwealth was defeated by a margin of 1⁄2 of 1 percent or less.

NOVEMBER 21 Last day on which a recount or recanvass ordered by the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH can be scheduled to begin.

NOVEMBER 23 On this day, candidates receiving tie votes at the election shall cast lots at 12:00 Noon before the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH or the county boards of elections, as the case may be, to determine the winner. (If the fact of the tie vote is not authoritatively determined until after November 21, the time for casting lots will be 12:00 Noon on the second day after the fact of such tie is determined.)

NOVEMBER 26 Last day to file petitions to contest the election of any candidate. (Not applicable to elections of the first class.)

NOVEMBER 26 Last day for the county boards of elections to file with the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH returns from the November election. NOTE: State-level write-in winners of elections from the November election must file “Statements of Financial Interests” with the State Ethics Commission, Room 309 Finance Building, P.O. Box 11470, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1470 within 30 days of having been elected unless such person resigns within that time. County and local-level public office write-in winners of elections must file the “Statement” with the governing authority of the political subdivision where they were elected within 30 days of having been elected unless such person resigns within that time.

NOVEMBER 27 No later than 12:00 Noon on this day, a recount or recanvass ordered by the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH must be completed.

NOVEMBER 28 By 12:00 Noon on the day after completion of a recount or recanvass ordered by the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH, but no later than 12:00 Noon on this day, the county boards of elections must submit to the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH the results of the recount or recanvass.

DECEMBER 6 Last day for all candidates and treasurers of political committees and lobbyists to file campaign expense reports or statements due 30 days after the election in the Office of the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH and/or the county boards of elections as the case may be. Such report shall be complete as of November 26. NOTE: Postmarks are acceptable as proof of timely filing where the report is post- marked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than the day prior to the filing deadline.

DECEMBER 6 Not later than this day, the county boards of elections shall file with the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH a statement of expenses incurred in preparing, handling, mailing, delivering, counting and storing such official Military, Veterans’ and other absentee ballots as they are entitled by law to receive compensation for in the sum of sixty cents each.

DECEMBER 6 Last day for each county board of elections to submit to the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation a report stating the total number of votes cast in each voting district for each candidate for any statewide Office, United States Representative, State Senator and State Representative.

DECEMBER 17 Presidential electors meet at the State Capitol, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at 12:00 noon.

DECEMBER 17 On this day, the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH shall select by lottery for audit of campaign expense reports three percent of the total number of public offices for which candidates must file nomination petitions or nomination papers with the SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH. NOTE: All dates in this calendar are subject to change without notice in the event of passage of any amendatory legislation.

FILING FEES AND

SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS

The filing fees and the number of signatures that are required on nomination petitions for offices to be filled at the 2012 Elections are as follows:

                       OFFICE                                                 FEE             NO. OF SIGNATURES

President of the United States                        $200                           2,000

Attorney General                                                  $200                            1,000 *

Auditor General                                                    $200                             1,000 *

Treasurer                                                                 $200                             1,000 *

Representative in Congress                              $150                              1,000

Senator in the General Assembly                   $100                                 500

Representative in the                                          $100                                 300

General Assembly


Delegate to a National                                           $25                                  250

Party Convention

Alternate Delegate to a                                         $25                                   250

National Party Convention


GOP Committeeperson                                       None                                  10

* including at least 100 from each of at least five counties

Candidates who file Nomination Papers to access the General Election Ballot. Signature requirements for nomination papers (filed by candidates of minor political parties or political bodies) for those public offices listed above may be obtained by calling the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, Department of State, 210 North Office Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120, at 717-787- 5280. For information regarding local offices, contact your county board of elections.


Contact information for the Venango County Board of Elections: