For Waynesburg University students who are eligible to vote in the upcoming Nov. 6 midterm elections, but are unable to return to the county in which they are registered due to attending the university, are encouraged to apply for and submit an absentee ballot.

To begin the application process for an absentee ballot in Pennsylvania, voters can access votespa.com to print application. Other options to acquire an absentee ballot include picking one up from the local elections office and sending a signed letter to the home election office including all of the information required from the application.

Required information on the application for Pennsylvania includes that the voter marks the reason for requesting an absentee ballot. Attending college full-time is one of the accepted options for needing an absentee ballot.

Other acceptable reasons for requesting an absentee ballot include those with physical disabilities that restrict them from voting on election day, members of the military who are in service and those observing a religious holiday during midterms.

Also required on the absentee ballot application: the voter must indicate their home address, a current address where they would like the actual ballot to be mailed, as well as personal identification. Accepted forms of identification include a valid drivers license number or the last four digits of the voter’s social security number.

After completing the absentee ballot application, the voter must place it within an envelope and mail the envelope to their home county’s election office. All of the addresses for each Pennsylvania election office are given to the voter when upon printing the application.

The deadline for the local home election office to receive the absentee ballot application via the mail system or hand delivery is Oct. 31.

After the election office receives the application they must review each component and verify its correctness, and, if the application is approved as legitimate, a ballot is mailed to the updated address in the week before the election.

The deadline for the county board of elections to receive a completed civilian absentee ballot in order for it to be considered for the upcoming election is Nov. 2, as stated on the website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The student at the university will receive the ballot within their mailbox, and can check their desired candidates for several offices, including state governor, senate and house of representatives.

The completed ballot will have detailed instructions included on how to mail back the official votes, and the voter will place their ballot in the included security envelope to mail in their selections for the 2018 midterm candidates.

During the official day of voting on Tuesday, Nov. 6, the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. To 8:00 p.m., following this time, both absentee ballots and those completed during polling hours will be tallied to announce the newest candidates accepted for office.