Elections\Voter Registration

You are here >County Offices > Administrative > Elections\Voter Registration

Elections & Voter Registration

NOTICE

Nomination Petition packets will be available on February 1st

At the Adams County Courthouse

Adams County Elections and Voter Registration

117 Baltimore Street, Room 106

Gettysburg, PA 17325

Phone: 717-337-9832

First Day to Circulate and File Petitions – February 19^th

Last Day to Circulate and File Petitions – March 12^th

The Elections/Voter Registration Office is committed to administering elections and all related activities for the County of Adams and its political sub-divisions in compliance with the Federal and State statutes. Election and Voter Registration personnel provide guidance and information pertaining to election and voter registration procedures.

The Elections/Voter Registration office provides mandated services and is responsible for registering voters and conducting Federal, State, County and local elections. In addition, we compile and maintain the registration of all voters for use at all elections; prepare and publish notices of elections and lists of offices for which candidates are to be nominated; accept and verify nomination petitions; prepare official and specimen ballots and administer the campaign expenditure act.

The Elections/Voter Registration office is also responsible for establishing voting precincts and locations of polling places for each voting precinct; training of election officers to staff the polls on election day and preparing all election supplies to be used at the polls on election day.

Qualifications for Voter Registration

In order to be eligible to register to vote, you must:

Be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next election
Be a resident of Pennsylvania and your election district for at least 30 days before the next election
Be at least 18 years of age on the day of the next election

If you are currently registered to vote, you do not have to re-register unless you have moved, or wish to change your name or political party affiliation.

Qualifications for Voters at a Primary

The qualifications for a voter entitled to vote at a primary are the same as a voter entitled to vote at an election, except that he or she must be registered in a political party (Republican or Democrat) in order to take part in and vote in that party's primary. However, all registered voters are entitled to vote on questions placed on the ballot or at a special election held concurrently with a Primary.

Register to Vote in Person

You may register to vote at the Adams County Elections/Voter Registration Office, 1st Floor, Adams County Courthouse, 117 Baltimore Street, Room 106, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Business Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone number (717) 337-9832.

Register to Vote by Mail

You may register to vote by mail. Forms are available at all Adams County Post Offices, Borough & Township Offices, as well as State Senate & State House Representatives Offices. You may also call the Voter Registration Office for forms. These forms require a postage stamp for return delivery to the County Office.

Register to Vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles

An application for a driver's license or renewal can serve as an application for voter registration or an update to a previous voter registration. The Department of Transportation transmits the contents of the application electronically to the Department of State. The Department of State prints the application and forwards them to the appropriate voter registration commission.

Register to Vote at Various Government Agencies

Several government agencies offer voter registration applications. The Department of Public Welfare, Health, Labor and Industry, the County Clerk of Orphan's Court and all armed forces recruitment centers offer this service. All forms submitted at these agencies are forwarded to the proper county voter registration commission.

Voter Registration Deadlines

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Voter Registration Act, the deadline for voter registration is 30 days prior to each election, with the following exceptions:

Mail applications postmarked no later than the deadline to register must be processed. If the postmark is illegible, applications must be processed when received no later than five days after the deadline.
If the application is submitted from the Department of Transportation or agencies designated for registration before the deadline to register prior to the election, the proper voter registration commission must process the application.
Voter registration reopens the day following any primary or election.

Emergency Absentee Ballot

If you need an emergency absentee ballot and the emergency was not or could not be known to you on or before 5:00pm on Friday, May 17, 2013 prior to the election and if you cannot wait until Monday morning, please contact the Director of Elections at 752-0050.

Absentee Voting

Any qualified registered elector who will be absent from their municipality or unable to vote due to an illness or physical disability is entitled to vote by absentee ballot. Applications may be obtained 50 days prior to any election, but not later than 7 days before the election from the Elections/Voter Registration office.

When Elections are Held

General Elections are held in even-numbered years, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
Municipal Elections are held in odd-numbered years, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
The Primary Election in each even-numbered year is called the General Primary and is held on the third Tuesday in May, except in Presidential years when it is held on the fourth Tuesday in April
The Primary Election in each odd-numbered year is called the Municipal Primary and is held on the third Tuesday in May
Justices of the Supreme Court, Judges of Superior and Commonwealth Courts, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, District Judges in Magisterial Districts, constables and all county municipal, school district and election district officers are elected only at a Municipal Election
Electors for President and Vice-President, United States Senators, Representatives in Congress, Governor and Lt. Governor, Auditor General, State Treasurer, Attorney General and Senators and Representatives in the General Assembly are elected only at a General Election.

The polls are open at all primaries and elections between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., prevailing time.

What to Expect at the Polls

When going to the polls to vote, do not wear any campaign material that is exposed. You will be asked to remove it.
Do not discuss any political subjects inside the polling place.
When entering the polls, the Election Officials at the table may ask your name, address, and possibly your birth date. In the Primaries you may also be asked your party affiliation.
After determining you are eligible to vote, you will be asked to sign your name in the poll book. When doing this, check your address listed. If it is incorrect tell the Official, who will give you a Change of Address Form.
After signing your name, you will be given a Ballot and a secrecy sleeve.
Before entering the voting booth, if you are unsure of the instructions, ask one of the Election Officials for clarification.
To begin voting, slide your ballot out of the sleeve and mark your ballot with the pen provided.
If you make a mistake, notify the Election Official and you will be given another ballot.
When you have completed voting, place your ballot back in the sleeve and take your ballot to the precinct scanner. Remove the numbered stub from your ballot and deposit it in the precinct scanner. PLEASE NOTE: Once you have placed your ballot in the precinct scanner, your vote has been cast and you cannot be issued another ballot.