Getting Ready for the 2024 General Election!

Demystifying Harrisburg: Election 2024 Edition
Thursday, September 12, 2024, 6-7:30pm, Powers Room, McCandless Town Hall

To cut through all the noise around the upcoming General Election, we're hosting Demystifying Harrisburg: Elections. Demystifying Harrisburg is our ongoing informational series designed to help people better understand their government and how to be more informed and engaged citizens.

Hear from officials about the ins and outs of the election process. This knowledge will empower you to cast your ballot confidently, whether by mail or at the voting booth. Get equipped to share accurate information with your friends and neighbors, becoming a trusted source in your community!

You can register for the event and submit questions in advance at Demystifying Harrisburg - Senator Lindsey Williams.

Plan Your Vote!

Whether you like to vote by mail or in-person, be sure to plan your vote early so your voice is heard!

Voting By Mail

In Pennsylvania, all registered voters have the opportunity to vote by mail. There are two types of vote by mail ballots, and which one you apply for depends on whether you would be able to vote in person on Election Day.

• Mail-in ballot: Any registered voter may apply to vote by mail in the next election. You do not have to provide a reason for why you want to vote by mail ballot.
• Absentee ballot: If you will  be out of your municipality on Election Day or if you have a disability or illness that prevents you from going to your polling place on Election Day, you can request this ballot type, which requires you to provide a reason for why you want to vote by mail ballot.

To apply to vote by mail-in or absentee ballot, you need your driver’s license number or social security number. 

You will also be asked if you want to be placed on the annual mail list. 

• If you answer “yes” then you will receive mail-in ballots for all elections the rest of that year. 
• In February of the following year, you will be mailed a new mail ballot application and can decide if you would like to receive mail ballots for all elections for the year. 
• Pennsylvania does not have a permanent mail-in ballot list. You must complete the form to receive mail-in ballots every year.

There are two ways to apply to vote by mail:

• Online: Vote by Mail Application (pa.gov)
• Download and print the application in English, Spanish, or Chinese and return it to:

                Allegheny County Elections Office
                542 Forbes Avenue, Suite 312
                Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2913

Before you apply, be sure to check your voter registration status to ensure you are registered to vote and your information is up to date.

Deadlines for the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election: 

• October 29 by 5pm: Mail-in or absentee ballot APPLICATIONS must be RECEIVED by the Allegheny County Elections Office.
• November 5 by 8pm: Completed mail ballot must be RECEIVED by the Allegheny County Elections Office. Postmarks do not count! 

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

Voting In Person

Pennsylvania polls are open from  7am  - 8pm on General Election Day, November 5, 2024.  Find your polling place at Polling Place Information (pa.gov). Voters in line at 8pm will be allowed to vote. 

First-time voters at a polling place will be asked to show photo identification. Acceptable forms of ID are available at: First Time Voters | Voting & Election Information | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (pa.gov).

Check Your Registration

You must be registered in order to vote by mail or in person in Pennsylvania! 

• Check your registration status at Voter Registration Status (pa.gov). 
• Register to vote or change your information at: Vote by Mail Application (pa.gov)
• Download and print voter registration application at: Pennsylvania Voter Registration Application & Mail-in Ballot Request (pa.gov) Return to:

                Allegheny County Elections Office
                542 Forbes Avenue, Suite 312
                Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2913

New Election Hotline

Prefer to talk to a person? Call Pennsylvania’s official Election Hotline to get your election questions answered at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772)! 

Or, if you want to get into the nitty gritty and the ins and outs of this year's election process, please join us next Thursday, September 12th for Demystifying Harrisburg: Election 2024 Edition. Registration is encouraged at SenatorLindseyWilliams.com/DemystifyingHbg. 

Good News

Celebrating at West View’s Mayor Powell Park

Last week, I joined Rep. Emily Kinkead, local West View elected officials, and first grade students from West View Elementary to rededicate Mayor Richard E. Powell Park. I’ve been a proud resident of West View for the last 10 years and one of my favorite parts about living here is the great parks that we have within walking distance. 

Thank you to the West View Borough Mayor, Council, and Public Works Department for prioritizing the upgrades to Mayor Powell Park. I was glad to support their application for GEDTF grant funding for this work, and I’m looking forward to their next project.

And a big thank you to the students, teachers, and staff at West View Elementary for coming out and making sure that the new equipment is kid-approved!

Celebrating Labor Day in a Union Town

Every day is a great day to celebrate workers, but we had amazing weather for the country's biggest and best Labor Day Parade on Monday! Thank you to the North Allegheny Marching Band for a fantastic performance. And thank you to our workers for everything you do-- Pittsburgh doesn't work without you! 

Legislative Update

Supporting Workers Every Day

Labor Day may be the unofficial end of summer, but the work to support workers never stops. That’s why I’m proud to stand with workers here in the District and to fight for legislation that protects workers across Pennsylvania.

Right now, I’m working with my colleagues on a number of pieces of legislation that prioritize worker safety, the right to organize, and more. Here’s a brief look at some of what we’re working on:

• Senate Bill 434 would allow striking workers to be eligible for unemployment compensation, provided that they meet all other requirements under the UC Act. I first introduced this legislation last session after 1,300 steelworkers at Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (ATI) were forced to strike in 2021. This legislation continues to be necessary to protect workers fighting unfair labor practices, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette workers who have been on strike since October 6, 2022.
• Senate Bill 441 would require that any organization that receives General Fund Tax Credits pay their employees and contractors a family-sustaining wage. This legislation would set base-level requirements for wages and benefits on all projects that receive public funding through Pennsylvania’s annual $600 million in General Fund Tax Credits.
• Senate Bill 577 would strengthen the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act that stops employers from misclassifying workers as independent contractors. This legislation would strengthen and improve Act 72 by increasing penalties on contractors and increase the purview of the Attorney General and District Attorney to investigate and prosecute worker misclassification
• Senate Bill 720 would give principals and vice principals in Pittsburgh Public Schools the authority to organize.
• Senate Bill 808 and other legislation that would improve rail safety in Pennsylvania by establishing safe staffing requirements on trains, providing additional oversight of railroad company safety compliance, addressing wayside detector system standards and maintenance, and more.
• Senate Bill 987 would require employers to notify workers about the illegal practice of wage theft, while also providing protections to workers who report wage theft from retaliation.
• Senate Resolution 5 and other legislation that would update the Senate ethics rules to protect anyone who interacts with the Senate from sexual harassment and misconduct, regardless of who their employer is. The current rules only apply to direct employees of the Senate, leaving contractors and others with no recourse to report harassment.
• The Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Act would provide whistleblowers with protections against retaliation for reporting the fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.

I’m proud to be a prime sponsor of all of this legislation, and I look forward to joining with my colleagues to pass these bills and more to protect and support Pennsylvania workers!

News You Can Use

Allegheny Go is Enrolling Participants

Allegheny Go offers a 50% discount on PRT fares to working-age residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, as well as their children.

Enrollment for the program began in June and is ongoing - don’t miss out on affordable transportation!

Eligible participants:

• Currently reside in Allegheny County
• Are ages 12 through 64
• Have been receiving SNAP benefits for 3 months
• Have a mobile device and are able to access the Ready2Ride app.

Use this link to enroll : Discounted Fares.

Use this link for the enrollment guide: Allegheny-Go-Guide.pdf (alleghenycounty.us).

2024 ALCOSAN Open House

Water is essential to life, but do you know how it becomes safe for us to drink and to release into our waterways? Come to the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) Open House for a full day of exploration, discovery, and fun as you learn about the cutting-edge technology behind modern wastewater treatment. From hands-on experiments to up close and personal views of the machinery, there is something for everyone!

For more information and to register for the 2024 Open House, plant tours, and weekly ALCOSAN Summer Sweepstakes go to: ALCOSAN Annual Open House: Fun and Educational Hands-On Activities, Tours, and Exhibits.

45th Annual COTRAIC Pow Wow!
120 Charles Street, Dorseyville
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 12pm through Sunday, September 29, 2024, 5pm.

Don’t miss the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center’s (COTRAIC) 45th annual Pow Wow! You will be treated to Native American singing, drumming, competitive dancing, arts, crafts, foods, vendors, and much more!

For additional information on the event go to: Events — Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center (cotraic.org).

RAD Days and RAD Summer Staycation Update!

Did you know you can attend area cultural and regional attractions for at a discount or for free? The Allegheny County Regional Asset District (RAD) runs two programs every summer that offer free or discounted admission as a way of saying thank you to Allegheny County taxpayers for their support of our libraries, parks and trails, arts and cultural organizations, regional attractions, and more. 

RAD Days 2024

RAD Days offer FREE admission for everyone to over 60 events and experiences on specific days. This year, RAD Days run from September 7th - October 6th and include incredible experiences like Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh Glass Center, August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Dead Man's Hollow Conservation Area, and much more! 

Go to Free Events in the Allegheny Regional Asset District (radworkshere.org) for the full RAD Days schedule. Be sure to click on ‘Event Details’ - some events require reservations!

RAD Summer Staycation Extended through September!

RAD Pass is an online DISCOUNTED ticket “lending” system for Allegheny County library cardholders ages 18+ for regional attractions like the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Heinz History Center, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History. Several venues have extended their offers through September. 

Need a library card? Stop by any Allegheny County Library Association library and register or apply online.

Go to Home - RAD Pass for a list of participating RAD Pass organizations. Venues fill up quickly, so get your library card and make your reservations early!

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have by phone at 412-364-0469 (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 (Harrison Office) or by email at [email protected]. My staff will return your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

Senator Lindsey Williams