More than 3M in Pennsylvania apply for mail-in ballots
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A week ahead of the Nov. 3 election, applications in Pennsylvania for mail-in or absentee ballots have exceeded 3 million. Tuesday’s the last day to request one. State data shows that, of those applications, more than 57% have been returned to counties. More than 9 million Pennsylvanians have registered to vote, a record high. Meanwhile, Luzerne County on Tuesday asked Justice Amy Coney Barrett to recuse herself from consideration of the state Republican Party’s request that the U.S. Supreme Court block counties from counting mailed-in ballots received up to three days after the Nov. 3 election. The filing by Luzerne County came shortly after Barrett was formally sworn in as the Supreme Court’s ninth justice.

(File Photo)

Deadline for mail ballot application is today, apply at votesPA.com

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar reminded Pennsylvanians that today is the deadline to apply for a mail or absentee ballot for the Nov.3 election. Voters who still have their mail ballot are strongly encouraged to immediately hand-deliver their voted ballot to their county election office or other officially designated site, including drop boxes.

“If you haven’t already, voters with mail ballots should immediately hand-deliver your ballot to your county-designated location,” said Gov. Wolf. “Don’t wait until election day. Hand-delivering your own ballot now will give you the peace of mind that your vote will be counted, and your voice will be heard in this historic election.”

More than 3 million Pennsylvanians have applied to vote by mail, made possible by a new law the governor signed last year creating the most sweeping election reforms in 80 years.

Today is the deadline to apply for their ballot or apply in person for a ballot and vote early.  Counties will mail ballots to voters once the application is verified. The deadline to drop off their completed mail ballots is 8 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

“Pennsylvanians have more secure and accessible options for how they cast their ballot than ever before,” said Secretary Boockvar. “Whichever method you choose, the important thing is that you cast your ballot and have a say in our democracy.

As soon as the voter receives the mail ballot, the voter should:

• Read the instructions carefully.
• Fill out the ballot, being sure to follow instructions on how to mark selections.
• Seal the ballot in the white inner secrecy envelope that indicates “official ballot.” Make sure not to make any stray marks on the envelope.
• Then seal the inner secrecy envelope in the pre-addressed outer return envelope which the voter must sign.
• Complete and sign the voter’s declaration on the outside of the outer return envelope.
• For the ballot to be counted, it must be enclosed in both envelopes and the voter must sign the outer envelope.

Voters can find out information about the status of their ballot by contacting their county election office.

“Pennsylvania is well prepared, and we will have a fair election,” said Gov. Wolf. “Counting more than 3 million mail ballots may take more time than in past elections. All of us will need to be patient as county officials work tirelessly to ensure that all votes are counted. This could take a few days, but we must have accurate results.”

Voters who applied for and received a mail ballot and then decide they want to vote at the polls must bring their entire mail ballot packet with them to be voided, including both envelopes. They may then vote on their county’s voting system.

If a voter applies for a mail ballot but does not return it and no longer has the mail ballot and envelopes, they may vote by provisional ballot at the polls on election day. Their county board of elections will then verify that they did not vote by mail before counting their provisional ballot.

Additionally, if a voter’s absentee or mail ballot is rejected for a reason other than their qualification or eligibility to vote, such as a missing signature or naked ballot, they may vote by provisional ballot.

Under Pennsylvania law, voters may only return their own mail ballot. The only exceptions to this are for voters with a disability who have designated someone in writing to deliver their ballot, or for voters  who need an emergency absentee ballot. Voters with a disability have several options for how to cast their ballots this election.

For voters with limited English proficiency, mail ballot applications are available in Spanish and Vietnamese. If voters have questions, or need translation services in other languages, they are encouraged to call the Department of State at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

For more information on voting and elections call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) PA State police reported this morning  that they were dispatched by Aliquippa Police  early Sunday morning  to the 200 block of Spaulding Street , a male  was suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim identified as a white male Joseph Jahoda, 60 was transported to Allegheny General Hospital.  from the scene with a non-life threatening injury to his leg.

AAA, PennDOT Urge Extra Caution This Halloween Weekend

The holiday falling on a Saturday presents additional challenges for motorists, pedestrians

With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, AAA East Central and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) advise parents, motorists, and adults to take some extra precautions this year to keep everyone safe.

“With some people choosing to go to house parties or go trick-or-treating, there’s a chance that there could be an increased danger on the road,” said Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “With communities practicing different options, anyone who is celebrating the holiday needs to have a plan in place to prevent any tragedies.”

Halloween is consistently one of the most dangerous nights of the year for children. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the holiday is one of the top three days for pedestrian injuries and fatalities, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle than on any other day of the year.

“Our concern is that more people will take advantage of Halloween being on a Saturday to celebrate, and if they don’t plan ahead, many will be tempted to drink and drive,” said Cheryl Moon-Sirianni, district executive for PennDOT. “With all of the alternative transportation available to everyone in this age, there is no excuse for drunk driving.”

Tips for Motorists on Halloween:

• Designate a sober driver in advance. Select a designated driver or ensure that a cab, a ride-share, or car service is available.  Never ride with a driver who has been drinking.
• Consider an overnight stay.  If attending a party at a friend’s home, consider asking to stay overnight.
• Do not let impaired guests drive. If hosting a party, remind guests to plan ahead and designate a sober driver, offer alcohol-free beverages, and do not allow impaired guests to drive.
• Drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit.  According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian is more than twice as likely to be killed if they are hit by a car traveling at 35 mph, compared to 25 mph.
• Look for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.  This particularly applies during popular trick-or-treating hours, from 5:30 – 9 p.m. Use extra caution when entering or exiting driveways or alleys.

Story and Photo by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa Police received a call at 3 a.m. Saturday morning  a pickup truck hit a home  in the 1000 block of Main Street.  Police  and, firefighters  responded to the scene.  Fire Chief Dave Foringer said the vehicle   cannot be moved, there is severe damage to  the home.. He said an engineer will be called in to assess the damages, and if the truck can be moved.

(File Photo Courtesy of Sean Parnell)

Lawsuit over Allegheny County election offices settled
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Two Republican candidates for Congress are settling a lawsuit they filed earlier this month and dropping their effort to force Allegheny County to let them send campaign representatives to observe inside satellite election offices. The candidates dropped that claim in a settlement approved Monday by a federal judge in Pittsburgh. The settlement, instead, describes Allegheny County’s stated process for counting ballots for nearly 29,000 voters who were mailed ballots with the wrong contests on them. State courts have already rejected a similar effort by President Donald Trump’s campaign to force Philadelphia’s election board to allow its campaign representatives to monitor satellite election offices.

2020 Watch: Is Biden remaking the Democratic coalition?
By STEVE PEOPLES AP National Political Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Welcome to the final full week of the 2020 election. Anxiety on both sides is spiking with so much uncertainty heading into an Election Day like none before it. The coronavirus pandemic is raging again, raising serious health concerns for those who want to vote in person. Each state has its own patchwork of ballot access laws that raise the prospect of intentional or unintentional voter suppression. And Russia and Iran are actively interfering in the election’s closing days. On paper, Democrat Joe Biden continues to lead President Donald Trump by a significant margin nationally, but polling suggests the race is tight in key battlegrounds.

US to get 9th justice with Dems powerless to block Barrett
By LISA MASCARO AP Congressional Correspondent
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is set to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Republicans are expected to overpower Democratic opposition and vote Monday evening to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee. Barrett would be Trump’s third Supreme Court justice. Democrats want Vice President Mike Pence to stay away after his aides tested positive for COVID-19. Pence’s tie-breaking vote won’t be needed, and he hasn’t said whether he will attend the session. With no real power to stop the vote, Democrats argue the winner of the Nov. 3 election should choose the nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The Latest: Trump holds 1st of 3 rallies in key Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the presidential campaign (all times local):
12:50 p.m.
President Donald Trump has wrapped up the first of three campaign rallies in Pennsylvania, where he told supporters that he wanted to discuss an issue of “existential importance” as he focuses on former Vice President Joe Biden’s policies on energy.
Pennsylvania is the second leading producer of natural gas in the country behind Texas.
Trump claims that Biden would “abolish the entire U.S. oil industry.” Trump says that means no fracking and no jobs for Pennsylvania families, adding “Biden’s plan is an economic death sentence for Pennsylvania’s energy sector.”
He is seizing on Biden’s comments in last week’s debate that he would “transition away from the oil industry.”
But Biden sought to clarify later that he was talking about ending federal subsidies for oil companies. He also said “we’re not getting rid of fossil fuels for a long time.”
Biden has also repeatedly pledged not to abolish fracking. Instead, he has called for no new fracking permits on federal lands.
Trump spoke to hundreds of supporters in Allentown as he focuses on the key battleground state of Pennsylvania.