Pennsylvania's voting by mail is extremely complicated, and if you don't follow the instructions

[still_one]

exactly as given, I hear the ballot will be rejected

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2020/05/14/pennsylvania-mail-in-ballot-instructions/



Acknowledge the mail-in ballot deadline

Fill out your ballot (in pen!)

Refold your ballot and place it in your “Official Election Ballot” envelope. Seal it, then place it in the larger voter’s declaration envelope.

Fill out your voter’s declaration envelope

Mail — or turn in — your ballot

I really hope we have people on the ground to help people with this!!!

[FBaggins]

1. It isn't at all complicated

But plenty of people still mess it up.

[qazplm135]

2. I mean...

That's not that complicated?

[LisaL]

5. PA doesn't have history of voting by mail.

So I envision a lot of voters could mess it up.
I think the democratic party should make PSA videos to explain to voters what to do.

[LisaL]

3. I don't see what so complicated about it.

But PSAs probably should be made to remind people that the ballot has to go first into the "official election ballot envelope" or it won't be counted.

[Maeve]

4. That seems pretty straight forward to me

It is similar to Ohio's rules.

Don't forget to sign it, folks! That is one of the top reasons ballots are rejected.

[LisaL]

6. It's a little different in OH in that we have to sign the internal envelope.

NT

[Maeve]

8. Yep--whatever state, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, FOLKS!

I have had a ballot rejected for not signing (I could swear I did!) but it was caught in time for me to re-submit and be counted.

[MineralMan]

7. Democrats read and follow instructions.

Republicans don't. Works to our benefit.

[still_one]

9. I wouldn't bet on it, especially for those who are first timer vote by mail voters, which is

exactly what the case in Pennsylvania will be

[DeminPennswoods]

14. Actually, expanded absentee ballot rules were in

effect for the June primary. There were close to 2M mailed ballots, but things seemed to go pretty smoothly.

You do have to pay attention, though. Voters have been known to sign the envelope in which the ballot is actually enclosed instead of the outer envelope.

[LizBeth]

10. I voted by mail for the first time and was happy so easy, sounds like what you described.

Gotta read the instruction which I do not always do. Made myself. It was still easy and I was concerned would be complicated. Big print all over reminding people what to do along the way.

[gratuitous]

11. Voter education PSAs

Get prominent Democrats and Democrat-friendly celebrities to tape 15-second spots demonstrating the procedure. Five or six in rotation for the next couple of weeks would have a salutary effect, methinks. There could also be the ancillary benefit of rock-headed Republicans refusing to be told what to do by no dummycrat!

[still_one]

12. +++

[Klaralven]

13. This was published for the PA primary election on 5/14/2020

So the description of what to do on the pages of the ballot aren't exactly right for the presidential election. The details of voting for down-ballot offices and public questions, if they have those in PA, will differ.