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FEBRUARY 7TH SPECIAL ELECTIONS &
CASTING A BALLOT
BY MAIL FAQ

Background Information on February 7th State House Special Elections

special elections map showing oakmont, penn hills, plum, wilkensburg, homestead braddock, munhall, white oak, mckeesport, lincoln, and clariton
Q: What are the special elections happening on Tuesday, February 7th and can I vote in them?

A: There are three separate state house special elections happening on February 7th for PA State House Districts 32, 34 and 35, previously held by Representatives Tony DeLuca, Summer Lee and Austin Davis. Only voters who live in these districts (see district info below) can vote in these special elections to fill these currently empty seats.

Q: What communities are in each distinct?

A:

The communities that make up the three house districts are as follows: 

House District 32: 

  • Oakmont
  • Penn Hills
  • Plum – Wards 1, 2, 3, 7, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21
  • Verona 

House District 34: 

  • Braddock
  • Braddock Hills
  • Chalfant 
  • Churchill 
  • East Pittsburgh 
  • Edgewood
  • Forest Hills
  • North Braddock 
  • Pittsburgh Ward 13, Precincts 1, 8, 10, 13 and 14
  • Pittsburgh Ward 14, Precincts 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18
  • Rankin 
  • Swissvale 
  • Wilkins Twp 
  • Wilkinsburg 

House District 35: 

  • Clairton 
  • Duquesne 
  • Homestead 
  • Liberty
  • Lincoln 
  • McKeesport
  • Munhall 
  • Port Vue 
  • South Versailles 
  • Versailles 
  • West Homestead 
  • West Mifflin, Wards 3, 4 and 15
  • Whitaker 
  • White Oak 
Q: Where can I check if I can vote in any of these special elections?

A: You can check your voter registration status here. If under “Voting Districts” it lists the 32nd, 34th or 35th Legislative District next to “State House”, you are able to vote in one of these three special elections on or before February 7th. 

Q: Who are the Democratic candidates for these special elections?

A: The Democratic candidates for the three special elections and where to find out more about them are listed below: 

Casting a Ballot by Mail in the February 7th State House Special Elections

Step 1 – Sign-up to receive a mail-in ballot

Q: I voted by mail in 2022, will I receive a ballot for the February 7th special election?

A:  If you are an eligible voter in the 32nd, 34th or 35th State House districts and voted by mail in 2022, you WILL be receiving a mail-in-ballot for the February 7th special election – without having to apply for a new one.

Q: How do I request a ballot by mail?

A:  You can request a ballot online from the Pennsylvania Department of State here.

Q: What is the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot for the February 7th special elections?

A: The application must be received no later than 5:00 pm on 01/31/2023.

Q: When will ballots begin to be sent out?

A: Allegheny County has begun the process of sending out mail-in-ballots for the three special elections on Tuesday, January 17th and will continue to send out ballots as new applications come in.

Q: How do I know if my application to vote by mail has been received?

A: You can track the status of your application at the Pennsylvania Department of State here. 

Q: How do I get a paper application sent to me to request a mail-in ballot?

A: You can go to the form provided here to request a paper application.

Step 2 – Cast your ballot
Q: What is the deadline to return my mail-in ballot?

A: Your completed ballot must be received by 8pm on Election Day, Tuesday, February 7th.

Q: What if it is too late to mail my ballot back and have it be received on time?

A: You may either bring it in person to the Allegheny County Elections Office or you may bring the entire ballot package to your polling place to have it “spoiled” and vote in person.

Q: Can I drop off my completed mail-in-ballot at my polling location on Election Day?

A: No, you can only mail your mail-in-ballot in or drop it off in person at the Allegheny County Elections Office.

Q: Does Allegheny County have mail-in-ballot drop boxes?

A: No, Allegheny County does not currently have drop boxes for mail-in-ballots.

Q: Where can I drop off my mail-in-ballot in person?

A: You may submit your completed mail-in-ballot in person at the Allegheny County Elections Office (542 Forbes Ave, STE 601, Pittsburgh, PA 15219) any weekday (M-F, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)from now through Election Day.

Q: Can I vote early in person?

A: Over-the-counter voting hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm at the Allegheny County Election Office. Up until the mail-in-ballot application deadline on Tuesday,January 31st, you can also apply, get your ballot and vote over the counter ‘that’ day if you have not already applied for one. 

Q: What are the Allegheny County Elections Office’s hours of operation

A: The Allegheny County Election Office hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, M-F.

Q: How can I contact the Allegheny County Elections Office?

A: You can fill out a contact form here or call the office at (412) 350-4500

Q: What if I never received my requested mail-in-ballot?

A: The Allegheny County Democratic Committee is recommending three courses of action you can take if you applied but never received your mail-in-ballot, or if there was an issue with one that was sent to you.

  1. You can reach out to the Allegheny County Elections Office and have them reissue another ballot and have it sent to you. You can also email tom@alleghenydems.com with your full name and home address where you are registered and we can reach out and inquire about your ballot on your behalf. 
  2. You can head to the Allegheny County Elections Office in person and request they reissue you another mail-in-ballot.  They’ll hand you your ballot that day and you can vote and turn it to them. If you need a ballot reissued to you, you need to go to the Elections Office during regular business hours (8:30 am – 4:30 pm, M-F) to have that done. 
  3. You can head to your polling location on Election Day (November 8th) and let them know you applied but did not receive your mail-in-ballot. Ask to vote by “Provisional Ballot” and vote as you normally would. The “provisional ballot” will count as soon as the County confirms you did not also return your mail-in-ballot.
Q: How do I fill out my ballot?

A: After you complete your ballot, seal it into the secrecy envelope that has the words “official elections ballot” on it.  Place this sealed secrecy envelope into the larger pre-addressed declaration envelope.  Seal the envelope and sign and date the declaration on the back.  Don’t forget the stamp!  You can view detailed instructions here.