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Voting-day myths pure fiction, Josephs says

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 27 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, chairwoman of the House State Government Committee, said voters should be prepared for Election Day, and that means knowing fact from fiction when it comes to voting myths.

"It seems in any major election, rumors abound to confuse and scare voters from performing their civic responsibility," Josephs said. "While tricks and terrifying stories may be appropriate for Halloween, they are not part of our electoral process."

Josephs said the following is a list of common myths that have been identified by the Department of State.

Fiction: Provisional ballots are not counted. Fact: All provisional ballots are legal documents and are counted if the person is confirmed as a qualified voter.

Fiction: Unless the election is close, absentee ballots are not counted. Fact: Absentee votes are the same as machine votes, they are just voted in a different way. As long as absentee ballots are received by the deadline, they are counted, regardless of how close the election is.

Fiction: Voting machines miscount or omit straight-party votes. Fact: All voting machines properly count all votes.

Fiction: Voting machines flip votes. Fact: Election officials check the machines and software to ensure a person's vote is recorded the way the person voted.

Fiction: Driver's licenses are the only acceptable forms of ID. Fact: There are other approved forms, both photo and non-photo ID, including a voter registration card.

Fiction: People must vote in every election to remain registered. Fact: Voters can be removed from the rolls only after five years of inactivity and several attempts to contact the individual have gone unanswered.

Fiction: Voters with a home foreclosure cannot vote. Fact: Pennsylvania voters only need to be residents of the Commonwealth for 30 days before an election, be able to verify their address and be registered to vote.

Fiction: Voters who have moved from their registered address cannot vote. Fact: If the voter has not yet filled out an address change form, that voter can vote in his or her previous polling place.

Fiction: Where a college student votes can impact the student's financial aid. Fact: College students who are registered can vote in their assigned polling place or via absentee ballot. It doesn't matter whether the student is registered at his home address or school address, it will not affect one's financial aid or health insurance.

Fiction: Convicted felons cannot vote. Fact: Convicted felons are eligible to vote once they are released from prison, including those on probation or parole. People facing minor offenses like outstanding parking tickets or child support payments will not be arrested if they attempt to vote.

"If you hear a rumor or someone tells you a frightening story about voting, don't be alarmed, but be suspicious. Get the facts and learn what you need to know about voting," Josephs said.

For more information, voters can call the League of Women Voters at 1-866-978-4232, the Committee of Seventy at 215-557-3600, the Election Protection Coalition at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) or the Department of State at 1-877-VOTESPA (868-3772).