Pennsylvanians will be able to register online to vote. Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration plans to launch the system Thursday, making Pennsylvania the 23rd state to offer Internet-based registration, officials told The Associated Press. The National Conference of State legislatures says five other states have approved online systems but not yet implemented them. Wolf and Secretary of State Pedro Cortes, the state’s top election official, plan to discuss the details at a news conference at the Harrisburg headquarters of the Pennsylvania County Commissioners Association. Doug Hill, the group’s director, said Wednesday that county officials strongly support the new system. nOnline registration was among the voting reforms the Democratic governor promised when he ran for office last year. Supporters say it’s cheaper, more accurate and more convenient than registering on paper.Online registration was among the voting reforms the Democratic governor promised when he ran for office last year. Supporters say it’s cheaper, more accurate and more convenient than registering on paper.
The online option should be available to people who need to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election, although they also can continue to use paper forms. The registration deadline is Oct. 5.
Some lawmakers have suggested legislative approval is necessary to authorize such a sweeping change, but administration officials said they are confident that existing law assigns the necessary legal authority to the executive branch. Wolf spokesman Jeff Sheridan said Cortes’ department reached out to key legislators from both parties as well as county election officials in developing the system.
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