Voter registration deadline is approaching for the May 16 primary election

The Pennsylvania municipal primary is just around the corner, and that means the period to register to vote ends soon.

The deadline to register to vote in the May 16 primary is May 1.

Voters will help decide who will win party nominations for seats on the state appellate courts, local judicial positions, municipal boards and councils, school boards and some Berks County row offices.

Voters have options when it comes to casting a ballot. They can do so by mail, or they can go to the polls on Election Day.

Pennsylvania operates a closed primary — meaning only voters registered as Democrats or Republicans will receive a ballot to select nominees to represent their party in the general election.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Who can vote

To be eligible to vote, an individual must be a U.S. citizen for at least one month before the primary, a resident of the election district in which the individual plans to vote for at least 30 days before the primary and at least 18 years old on or before the date of the election.

Check first

If you aren’t sure if you’re registered to vote, find out. Trying to register again if you’re already registered could result in unnecessary hassles.

And if you haven’t voted in a while, check to make sure you’re still registered and that your address is up to date.

Voters can check their registration status by calling the Berks County Elections Office at 610-478-6490 or checking at VotesPA.com.

Get registered

Pennsylvania voters can register online at register.votesPA.com. In addition to applying for a new registration, the system can be used to update an existing voter record with new information, such as a change of name, address or party affiliation.

But voters can still mail in paper applications. Those are available online at VotesPa.com or can be picked up at government offices and post offices. You can also register in person at the county elections office.

Make sure to have your driver’s license, PennDOT ID or Social Security number handy when registering.

Get a mailed ballot

The deadline to request a ballot by mail is May 9. Voters can apply online by visiting VotesPA.com, apply in person at the county elections office or contact the county elections office directly at 610-478-649 to request a paper application. You will need to apply with a valid Pennsylvania identification card or supply the last four digits of your Social Security number.

You can request a mailed ballot just for the primary election or you have the option to be added to the annual mailed ballot list so you’ll receive an application to renew that request each year. Once your request is approved, you will automatically receive ballots for the remainder of the year, and you do not need to submit an application for each election.

Voters can mail their ballot through the Postal Service or, starting on May 1, place them in one of the two ballot drop boxes in Berks. One ballot drop is at the Berks County Services Center in Reading, and the other is at the Berks County Agricultural Center in Bern Township. They must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m. May 16.

Source: Berkshire mont