The Fayette County Election Bureau has issued an update for citizens voting via mail-in ballot this Election Day.
The Fayette County Election Bureau recently discovered an issue with mail-in ballots caused by the state’s SURE software system.
County election officials alerted the state to the problem, but are now working to proactively correct it on their own, in order to ensure all Fayette County citizens may invoke their right to vote this Election Day.
The issue primarily applies to online applications submitted prior to the June Primary Election and marked as a “permanent mail-in” request. However, it may also affect some online ballot applications submitted prior to the end of September.
As of now, no ballot applications submitted via mail have been affected. These requests are still being processed.
If you applied for a “permanent” mail-in ballot or applied online in September and have not received your ballot, the Fayette County Election Bureau is in the process of mailing you a replacement ballot.
If you receive multiple ballots, only one will be counted for the Nov. 3 Presidential Election.
If you previously submitted an online application and have not received your ballot, you are able to visit the election bureau during office hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and vote in person the same day.
In order to better assist citizens who wish to vote in person, county officials are establishing a text alert system to cut down on wait times at the front counter.
Additionally, the Fayette County Election Bureau will open this Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in order to serve as many citizens as possible.
Election officials are also aware of other issues stemming from the mail-in voting process, including constituents:
• Receiving multiple ballots. • Receiving incorrect ballots. • Receiving empty envelopes containing no ballots.
If you experience these problems, please call the election bureau at 724-430-1289 or email lblosser@fayettepa.org.
When contacted, the election bureau will electronically cancel the original ballot that was to be mailed to you and reissue a replacement ballot.
Some voter questions can be answered by visiting www.votespa.com, including registration status and where to vote.
We apologize for any inconvenience the state error may have created. All mail-in ballots must be submitted by the state Supreme Court deadline.
To learn more about Fayette County, visit www.FayetteCountyPA.org.
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Media Contact: Community Relations Coordinator Kaylie Moore, kmoore@fayettepa.org.