February 22, 2023 ELPA Poll Shows Strong Support for Investments into Early Childhood A new poll, commissioned by the Early Learning PA Coalition and conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research from February 1 – 7, 2023, found that 98% of PA voters believe that early childhood education is important. The poll also showed strong voter support for increased investment for early care and education programs like pre-k, high-quality child care and home visiting services. There has been significant growth in voter’s overall support from a June 2022 poll, where 90% of voters said they found early childhood education to be important. Poll Details Partners of the Early Learning PA Coalition released the new polling data on voter support for early childhood care and education programs during a press conference held on Tuesday, February, 21, 2023 at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, PA. According to the poll: 78% of PA voters support increasing state funding to serve more eligible children in pre-k programs, which is an increase from 65% in 2022; 78% of PA voters also support increasing state funding to help more low-income working families afford high-quality child care, up from 67% in 2022; 68% of PA voters support increasing state funding to provide voluntary home visiting services to eligible families , up from 60% in 2022; and 81% of PA voters favor allocating state funding to increase wages of child care workers. “As we start budget season here in Harrisburg, the partners of the Early Learning PA Coalition urge Governor Shapiro and all members of the General Assembly to respond to this level of voter support for growing the Commonwealth’s investments in early care and education,” said Kristen Rotz, President of the United Way of Pennsylvania and principal partner in the Early Learning PA Coalition. “Pennsylvania must make these programs more accessible to children and families that qualify and further stabilize and strengthen the system by addressing historic teacher shortages caused by low wages.” said Rotz. Visit the Pre-K for PA Facebook page to watch the February 21, 2023 press conference in full.
September 21, 2020 November 3 Election Reminders With the November 3 election quickly approaching, do you have a voting plan? Dedicate time today to check your voter registration status, review what options you have to cast your vote, and create your personal voting timeline. Save The Dates Use the dates listed below to create your personal voting timeline. If you would like to receive ballot deadline reminders, election date reminders, and more, sign-up to receive emails from Votes PA. October 19, 2020 Last day to complete a voter registration before the November 3 election. October 27, 2020 by 5 p.m. Last day to apply for a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot. November 3, 2020 by 8 p.m. Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive completed mail-in and absentee ballots. November 3, 2020, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In-person polling locations are open. Visit the PA Voter Services website to find yours. Register To Vote To participate in the November 3 election, voter registrations must be submitted by October 19, 2020. Interested community members can register to vote by: completing the online application, submiting an application in the mail, visiting their county voter registration office, or visiting a number of government offices, including PennDOT Photo or Driver’s License Centers. Check Your Voter Registration To check your voter registration status and polling place address, visit the PA Voter Services website. Voting In-Person On November 3, polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line when the polls close, you are entitled to vote. Visit the PA Voter Services website to find your polling place. If you have voted at your polling location before, you will not need to bring an ID to vote. Only voters who are voting for the first time in their election district need to show their ID (driver’s license, U.S. passport, voter registration card, current utility bill, etc.). Over-The-Counter Voting Offices On September 17, the Allegheny County Board of Elections approved a proposal to open additional over-the-counter voting offices on weekends leading up to the November 3 election. Registered voters can visit these secure offices to cast their vote or submit their completed ballots. Office Locations Planned dates, locations, and hours include the following: Saturday, October 10 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. County Office Building, Downtown; North Park Ice Rink; South Park Ice Rink; #2 Department of Public Works Garage, Carnegie; and the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Homewood Location Sunday, October 11 | 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. County Office Building, Downtown; North Park Ice Rink; South Park Ice Rink; #2 Department of Public Works Garage, Carnegie; and the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Homewood Location Saturday, October 17 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. County Office Building, Downtown; South Park Ice Rink; CCAC South; Boyce Park Ski Lodge; and Shop ‘N Save, Hill District Sunday, October 18 | 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. County Office Building, Downtown; South Park Ice Rink; CCAC South; Boyce Park Ski Lodge; and Shop ‘N Save, Hill District Saturday, October 24 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. County Office Building, Downtown; Boyce Park Ski Lodge; CCAC South; CCAC Allegheny; and North Park Ice Rink Sunday, October 25 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. County Office Building, Downtown; Boyce Park Ski Lodge; CCAC South; CCAC Allegheny; and North Park Ice Rink Absentee Ballots If you expect to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you can request an absentee ballot. Voters will be required to list the reason for submitting this ballot type. This ballot type is best suited for: college students who are not registered to vote at their school address, people whose work or vacation take them away from the municipality where they live, people with a physical disability or illness that prevents them from going to the polling place, members of the military, people who may have a conflict due to the celebration of a religious holiday, and people who are incarcerated who haven’t been convicted of a felony. Submit An Application Complete the online application to request your absentee ballot. Applications to receive an absentee ballot for the November 3 election must be received by your County Election Office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. After receiving your ballot in the mail, your completed ballot must be received by your County Election Office no later than 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020. You can submit your ballot in the mail or by visiting your County Election Office. Mail-In Ballots If you would like to submit a ballot without visiting a polling location but are not eligible for an absentee ballot, you can apply for a mail-in ballot. Voters will not be required to list a reason for submitting this type of ballot. All registered voters are eligible to request a mail-in ballot. Submit An Application Complete the online application to request your mail-in ballot. Applications to receive a mail-in ballot for the November 3 election must be received by your County Election Office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. After receiving your ballot in the mail, your completed ballot must be received by your County Election Office no later than 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020. You can submit your ballot in the mail or by visiting your County Election Office. More Information Visit the Votes PA website for more information on mail-in and absentee ballots, registering to vote in Pennsylvania, what to expect as a first-time voter, upcoming elections, and more.
