Philly Leader

Gov. Tom Wolf recently signed Executive Order 2022-03 to expand access for eligible Pennsylvania residents to obtain their voter registration information when they do business with agencies around the state.

Wolf was at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg on Sept. 7 where he signed the order, according to a release by Wolf's office. He was joined by secretaries and representatives of the agencies involved. This executive order aligns with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which requires state agencies to provide voter registration information to clients.

“We are proud of the free and fair elections held here in the commonwealth, and that would not be possible without first providing convenient, accessible opportunities for every eligible citizen to register to vote," Wolf said. “That’s why I am designating seven additional state agencies to provide their clients with materials and information on voter registration. This work will support the dedicated county officials and thousands of local poll workers who do their part every election to ensure that anyone who wants to exercise their precious right to vote can do so.”

Seven agencies will be required to provide voter registration information to clients when doing business. This includes: Department of State (DOS) at public Bureau of Elections, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, and Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations locations; Department of Agriculture at events at the Farm Show Complex; Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at 121 state park office locations; Department of Corrections in connection with Bureau of Community Corrections services; Department of Education at library locations; Labor and Industry programs at CareerLink offices; and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at state veterans homes.

This executive order requires Voter Registration Distribution Agencies (VRDA) to provide things like official voter registration mail applications. This must come with a non-postage paid envelope and information on where to send it. Non-partisan signs about the voter registration materials must also be posted. They will also need to have links to the applications on their homepage. Someone will also be designated as the voter registration distribution coordinator.

September is also designated as Voter Registration Month to encourage voter registration.

“With 1.7 million Pennsylvanians who are eligible to vote but are not yet registered, it will be no small task to reach those individuals before the November election,” Acting Secretary of State Leigh M. Chapman said. “I thank this administration for recognizing that by collaborating with our state and federal partners, we make that effort possible.”