November 3, 2020 ballot measures in Pennsylvania

Elections in Pennsylvania, 2020

• Election date: Nov. 3
• Registration deadline(s): Oct. 19
• Online registration: Yes
• Same-day registration: No
• Recount laws

• Early voting starts: Sept. 28
• Absentee/mail voting deadline(s): Nov. 3 (postmarked); Nov. 6 (received)
• Processing, counting, and challenging absentee/mail-in ballots
• Voter ID: No ID
• Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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On the ballot:  • U.S. House • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative • Local judges • Local ballot measures

Voters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, decided five ballot measures on November 3, 2020.

In 2020, Ballotpedia covered local measures that appeared on the ballot for voters within the top 100 largest cities in the U.S. and a selection of notable police-related and election-related measures outside of the top 100 largest cities. Ballotpedia also covered all local measures in California and all statewide ballot measures. Ballotpedia's 2020 local ballot measure coverage includes Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.. Click here to see the scope of Ballotpedia local ballot measure coverage by year.

Local ballot measures, by county

Allegheny

See also: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania ballot measures

• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Independent Citizen Police Review Board Charter Amendment (November 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported amending the city charter to require police officers to cooperate with investigations by the Independent Citizen Police Review Board, authorizing the board to audit the police bureau, and change board member removal procedures.

A "no" vote opposed amending the city charter to require police officers to cooperate with investigations by the Independent Citizen Police Review Board, authorizing the board to audit the police bureau, and change board member removal procedures.

Philadelphia

See also: Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania ballot measures

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Question 1, Call on Police to End Unconstitutional Stop-and-Frisk Amendment (November 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported adding language to the Philadelphia City Charter calling on the police department to "eliminate the practice of unconstitutional stop and frisk, consistent with judicial precedent."

A "no" vote opposed adding language to the Philadelphia City Charter calling on the police department to "eliminate the practice of unconstitutional stop and frisk, consistent with judicial precedent."

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Question 2, Office of the Victim Advocate Amendment (November 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported creating an Office of the Victim Advocate.

A "no" vote opposed creating an Office of the Victim Advocate.

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Question 3, Citizens Police Oversight Commission Amendment (November 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported creating a Citizens Police Oversight Commission.

A "no" vote opposed creating a Citizens Police Oversight Commission.

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Question 4, Capital Municipal Bond Issue (November 2020):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported this measure to issue $134 million in bonds for capital municipal purposes, including transit; streets and sanitation; municipal buildings; parks, recreation, and museums; and economic and community development.

A "no" vote opposed this measure to issue $134 million in bonds for capital municipal purposes.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Pennsylvania

Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Pennsylvania.

How to cast a vote in Pennsylvania

Poll times In Pennsylvania, all polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote. Registration requirements Check your voter registration status here. To register to vote in Pennsylvania, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next election, a resident of the district in which he or she is registering for at least 30 days before the next election, and at least 18 years old by the day of the next election. The deadline for registering to vote is 15 days before the election. Registration can be done online, in person, or by mail. Prospective voters can register in person at the county voter registration office or at a number of state agencies, including Pennsylvania Department of Transportation centers. The Pennsylvania voter registration application is available online and can be mailed to the county voter registration office. On September 19, 2023, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) announced that the state had implemented automatic voter registration. Automatic registration Pennsylvania practices automatic voter registration. Online registration See also: Online voter registration Pennsylvania implemented an online voter registration system in 2015. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website. Same-day registration Pennsylvania does not allow same-day voter registration. Residency requirements Prospective voters must be residents of the district in which they are registering for at least 30 days before the next election. Verification of citizenship See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States Pennsylvania does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury. All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. As of November 2024, five states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, and New Hampshire — had passed laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration. However, only two of those states' laws were in effect, in Arizona and New Hampshire. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allowed noncitizens to vote in some local elections as of November 2024. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters. Verifying your registration The Pennsylvania Department of State allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website. Voter ID requirements Pennsylvania does not generally require voters to present identification while voting. However, a voter who is voting at a polling place for the first time must present identification. Voters can present the following forms of identification. This list was current as of October 2024. Click here to ensure you have current information. “ Approved forms of photo identification include: Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card ID issued by any Commonwealth agency ID issued by the U.S. Government U.S. passport U.S. Armed Forces ID Student ID Employee ID If you do not have a photo ID, you can use a non-photo identification that includes your name and address. Confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government Firearm permit Current utility bill Current bank statement Current paycheck Government check ”

See also

• Local ballot measure elections in 2020
• Local charter amendments on the ballot
• Local law enforcement on the ballot