Happy Tuesday from the MomsRising Team! I'm not going to beat around the bush: this season has everything. Halloween fun. Election energy. Apple spice. Lots of text messages from political campaigns. Kid sports. Did I mention Halloween? We're getting it ALL in Pennsylvania, and I hope you're continuing to find the joy, connection, and power in this moment. 

This edition of the MomsRising Pennsylvania newsletter contains our most-updated list of ways you can help make sure the mom voice is heard loud and clear this election season! Please read on and *most importantly*: share this information with 3 friends or family members, too. 

And keep scrolling down for an exciting recap of amazing grassroots events across the commonwealth over the past week. We are on fire! 

With gratitude, 
- The MomsRising PA Team

 

Spotlight: Mobilizing the Mom Vote in PA

We are one week away from Election Day, and it's GO TIME to mobilize the mom vote in Pennsylvania. At this point in the election cycle the most important things we can do are: 1) make sure we have a plan to vote, 2) inspire and excite others to vote, and 3) share the important final details on where and how to vote in Pennsylvania. Scroll down for things to know, and to share. Then please share this information with your friends, family, neighbors and networks, too. (Pinky promise you will?)

1. Make a Plan to Vote

Election Day is next Tuesday November 5. Polls are open from 7am until 8pm ET. Find your polling place here. 

Now is a great time to confirm when you'll vote, how you'll get there, and who else in your network needs a ride. You can definitely bring your kids with you, and plan any activities or items they'll need when you do. 

Lock in your plan and share these graphics! 

    

2. Inspire Your Network to Vote!  

One of the most important things we can do this week is inspire our networks to vote. Share why you're voting with a selfie or video. Share any of the information below. Encourage friends and family to make a plan to vote. Here are some graphics you can use, below.

You can also create and share a personalized digital postcard to help get out the vote! When you click, you’ll be able to upload your photo and write a personal message about the importance of voting. Once submitted, you’ll get an email with your personalized, digital postcard to share. Your friends and family will love seeing your face, along with your personalized message about voting. The most impactful communications are from family and friends!  

 

   

 

3. Voting By Mail? Important Deadlines This Week ->

Planning to vote by mail? Here are some important dates:  

• 5 p.m. Oct. 29 (TUESDAY): Your APPLICATION for a mail-in or absentee ballot must be received by your county election office.
• 8 p.m. Nov. 5: Your county election office must RECEIVE your completed mail ballot by this time. A postmark by 8 p.m. Nov. 5 is not sufficient.

Here’s how to request your mail-in ballot: 

• Online. Registered voters can apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot online here. You'll need a valid PA driver's license, PennDOT-issued photo ID, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Be sure to provide an email address with your application to get ballot notifications.
• By mail. Download and complete a paper application via the links below. Your county election office must RECEIVE your paper application at least one week before the next election. Request a mail-in ballot here.  
• At your county election office. You may apply in person at your county election office or other officially designated location and promptly receive your mail ballot.

Returning your mail-in ballot. 

If you requested a mail-in ballot, the safest way to return it at this point is by personally bringing it to your election office, to make sure it arrives by the Nov 5, 8pm deadline. Remember: every voter must return their own ballot. You cannot collect them from friends and family members and return them on their behalf. 

Voting in person if you requested a mail-in ballot. 

You can vote in person on Election Day even if you already requested a mail-in ballot. You must bring the entire mail-in ballot to your polling place, and surrender it to election officials. Important: you must bring all parts of the mail-in ballot, including the secrecy and outer envelopes. 

4. Voting Early (also called Voting On Demand in PA) Ends Tuesday October 29 (TODAY!)

You can also vote in person by mail ballot before Election Day (this is our PA version of early voting) in one trip to your county election office or other officially designated site. October 29, 2024 is the last day to vote in person by mail ballot in the November 5, 2024 election. More information here.  

If you have an emergency--such as an unexpected illness or disability or last-minute absence from your municipality--you may still be able to obtain a mail ballot after the Oct. 29 deadline. Find information here about how to get an emergency absentee ballot. 

 

5. Protect the Vote in PA: 

If you have any issues with your ballot or voting in general, here are the Voter protection hotlines: 

866-OUR-VOTE (English)
888-VE-Y-VOTA (Spanish/English)
844-YALLA-US (Arabic/English) voicemail and next business day call back
888-API-VOTE (Asian languages) voicemail and next business day call back
Language lines can also be accessed through 866-OUR-VOTE

You can also volunteer your time to help protect the vote, with MomsRising partner organizations including the ACLU. They are recruiting the following:

• Field Volunteer on November 5th: On-call to investigate voting issues and assist with advocacy and/or litigation preparation (attorney or non-attorneys)
• On-Call Attorney on November 5th: Requires familiarity with county's Court of Common Pleas; willing to file emergency actions in conjunction with ACLU-PA.
• Official Canvass Monitor from November 8th-November 15th: Observe the official canvass and flag mass ballot challenges

Get more information and sign up here.

 

6. Voting as a College Student in PA

Let's make sure college student votes are counted! College students can register and vote where they currently live (on or off campus) or at their prior home address, as long as they still have family living there.  

 

Rise Up! 

Thank you to everyone who added their voices to our push to advance the Family Care Act (paid leave legislation) in Pennsylvania, the CROWN Act, and the Momnibus package of maternal health bills. Last week we delivered your signatures and comments in support of paid leave to leaders in Harrisburg. And we're excited to share that two elements of the Momnibus package have passed as well, including legislation requiring Medicare cover doula services, as well as legislation that directs the PA Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign around perinatal and postpartum depression. 

Check out some photos from our delivery in Harrisburg below, and there's still time to add your name: 

• Urge PA leaders to advance the PA Omnibus package of maternal health bills
• Tell PA leaders to advance the CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair
• Demand PA leaders take action for paid leave in PA

 

How We Shined

It has been an amazing, uplifting, joyful, and powerful month of actions on the ground across Pennsylvania. Check out the action, below! 

MomsVote Roller Skating Party in Pittsburgh

  

  

 

Tacos and Democracy event in Harrisburg

    

 

And check out MomsRising member and super volunteer Valerie, in this great video sharing why she's a healthcare voter. Are you a #HealthCareVoter too? Share your story with @MomsRising here.    Thank you for all you do!