If you run into trouble on Election Day, here’s what to do next

Tuesday, November 5th is Election Day, time to cast your ballots to complete Presidential elections of 2024.

If you have a postal ballot, it is important to get it in your mailbox no later than 8:00 p.m. you vote in personmake sure you’re in line by 8pm

And if you have problems at the polls, don’t panic. There are resources to help you.

LIVE UPDATE | Election Day 2024: What’s Happening in Philadelphia and focus on Pennsylvania

Teams of people work to make sure every vote is cast and counted.

“You know, we’ve got one day left and we’re ready,” said Lisa Deeley, vice chairwoman of the Philadelphia City Commission. “I think tomorrow is going to be great for Philly.”

If you have a problem at a polling station—for example, a poll worker can’t find your name or you’re told you need to vote somewhere else and you can’t—there are ways to get help.

“I always tell people to just relax. If you can’t go where you’re being sent, don’t go. Just ask for an advance ballot,” Deeley said.

“If people have issues at the polls, the vast majority of them will be resolved at the polls,” added Adam Bonin, a Democratic lawyer.

There will be an election judge at each polling station, as well as voter protection volunteers such as observers and monitors.

If a problem like voter intimidation is not resolved at the election, anyone can go to the Election Court at the Criminal Justice Center.

Pro bono attorneys on both sides of the aisle will be on hand, and judges will hear cases and issue orders promptly.

“If there are witnesses who have to testify, they usually testify from their smartphones on Zoom in the courtroom. There is no time to get people to physically appear in court to resolve issues and dispense justice,” Bonin said.

If you submitted a postal ballot, make sure there are no problems with it, such as not signing the date or not using a secret envelope.

You can do this by calling 215-686-VOTE or by looking at a the list is published online.

“To make sure that not only do they not participate in it, but that their friends, family, people they may know don’t participate in it, because there’s still time to come and get a replacement ballot and correct any -what flawed ballots,” Deeley said.

Deeley expects it to be a much smoother and quicker process for Philadelphia than it was in 2020.

“We’ve been in the grip of a global pandemic, we’ve never had an unexcused mail-in vote in Pennsylvania before,” she said. “And our process has changed a lot since then. We now have electronic survey collections, and this process, which used to take days, has been reduced to hours.”

Deeley also reminds people that the polls are your neighbors just trying to promote democracy on Election Day, so please be kind and patient.

Additional resources:

– League of Women Voters of Pa. | Call here: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683)

– Interactive guide for voters 6abc

– City Commissioners of Philadelphia

– Protection of elections by the state