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July 14, 2025 - Philadelphia, PA

Department of State Introduces Redesigned, User-Friendly Provisional Ballot Envelopes

Continuing the Shapiro Administration's commitment to strengthening our democracy and keeping our elections safe and secure, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced today that the Department of State has redesigned the provisional ballot envelopes that counties use in an effort to improve legibility and make the envelope more user friendly.

"Every registered voter in our Commonwealth should have the opportunity to cast their vote and make their voice heard in each election," Schmidt said during a press conference in Philadelphia. "We believe these changes to the provisional ballot envelopes will have a positive impact, just as the changes we made to mail ballot materials two years ago did."

Speaker List:
Omar Sabir, Commissioner, City of Philadelphia
Seth Bluestein, Commissioner, City of Philadelphia
Al Schmidt, Secretary of the Commonwealth



Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_001.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_002.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_003.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_004.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Pennsylvania Department of States redesigned provisional ballot envelope is displayed during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The envelope features clearer voter instructions, highlighted signature areas, and simplified sections for poll workers, all designed to reduce ballot rejections and ensure more eligible votes are counted.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_005.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_006.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_007.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Pennsylvania Department of States redesigned provisional ballot envelope is displayed during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The envelope features clearer voter instructions, highlighted signature areas, and simplified sections for poll workers, all designed to reduce ballot rejections and ensure more eligible votes are counted.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_008.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Pennsylvania Department of States redesigned provisional ballot envelope is displayed during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The envelope features clearer voter instructions, highlighted signature areas, and simplified sections for poll workers, all designed to reduce ballot rejections and ensure more eligible votes are counted.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_009.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_010.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Pennsylvania Department of States redesigned provisional ballot envelope is displayed during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The envelope features clearer voter instructions, highlighted signature areas, and simplified sections for poll workers, all designed to reduce ballot rejections and ensure more eligible votes are counted.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_011.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt (left) and Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein (right) greet students from Drexel University during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The event highlighted the Department of States redesigned provisional ballot envelopes, aimed at improving usability and reducing ballot rejections in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_013.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt speaks with Philadelphia City Commissioner Omar Sabir during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The event marked the Department of States unveiling of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes aimed at reducing voter errors and increasing the number of eligible ballots counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_014.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Philadelphia City Commissioner Omar Sabir speaks during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025, where the Department of State introduced redesigned provisional ballot envelopes. Sabir emphasized how the simplified design will reduce voter errors and ensure more eligible ballots are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_015.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Philadelphia City Commissioner Omar Sabir speaks during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025, where the Department of State introduced redesigned provisional ballot envelopes. Sabir emphasized how the simplified design will reduce voter errors and ensure more eligible ballots are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_016.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Pennsylvania Department of States redesigned provisional ballot envelope is displayed during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The envelope features clearer voter instructions, highlighted signature areas, and simplified sections for poll workers, all designed to reduce ballot rejections and ensure more eligible votes are counted.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_017.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Philadelphia City Commissioner Omar Sabir speaks during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025, where the Department of State introduced redesigned provisional ballot envelopes. Sabir emphasized how the simplified design will reduce voter errors and ensure more eligible ballots are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_018.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_019.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_020.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_021.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_022.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_023.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_024.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_025.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_026.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein discusses the benefits of the new provisional ballot envelope design during a Department of State press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. Bluestein noted that small design changes can have a big impact on reducing ballot errors and improving voter access.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_027.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein discusses the benefits of the new provisional ballot envelope design during a Department of State press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. Bluestein noted that small design changes can have a big impact on reducing ballot errors and improving voter access.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_028.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Philadelphia City Commissioner Omar Sabir speaks during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025, where the Department of State introduced redesigned provisional ballot envelopes. Sabir emphasized how the simplified design will reduce voter errors and ensure more eligible ballots are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_029.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein discusses the benefits of the new provisional ballot envelope design during a Department of State press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. Bluestein noted that small design changes can have a big impact on reducing ballot errors and improving voter access.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_030.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein discusses the benefits of the new provisional ballot envelope design during a Department of State press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. Bluestein noted that small design changes can have a big impact on reducing ballot errors and improving voter access.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_031.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein discusses the benefits of the new provisional ballot envelope design during a Department of State press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. Bluestein noted that small design changes can have a big impact on reducing ballot errors and improving voter access.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_032.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_033.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_034.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_035.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_036.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announces the launch of redesigned provisional ballot envelopes during a press conference in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025. The new envelopes are part of the Shapiro Administrations ongoing effort to improve election integrity and reduce ballot rejections. The updated design offers clearer instructions for voters and poll workers, with the goal of decreasing errors and ensuring more eligible votes are counted in future elections.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27878_dos_provisionalBallot_KR_038.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>