Day: May 4, 2015

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Encouraging all Pennsylvanians to exercise their right to vote, Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortés today reminded voters that requests for absentee ballots must be completed, signed, and received by their county board of elections no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 12.rnrn"Our fundamental right to vote has been defended by generations of courageous Americans and we honor their sacrifice every time we cast a ballot," Cortés said. "Absentee balloting gives Pennsylvanians who are physically unable to go to the polls on Election Day the opportunity to exercise their voting right."rnrnTraditionally, absentee ballots are cast by deployed members of the military, Pennsylvania students attending out-of-state colleges or universities, individuals with illnesses or disabilities, and individuals who will be away from their municipality on business on Election Day. Comprehensive information about absentee ballots, including a downloadable request form, can be found at the Department of State's website www.votesPA.com. rnrnApplicants will be asked to supply basic voter registration information and to specify a reason for applying to vote absentee.rnrnPennsylvanians applying for an absentee ballot must provide their driver's license number. If they do not have a driver's license, they must give the last four digits of their Social Security Number. If a voter has neither, he or she must present a copy of an acceptable photo ID. A list of approved alternative types of identification is available at www.votesPA.com.rnrnAn absentee voter can designate someone else to deliver the absentee application and ballot if he or she is physically unable to do so. Certification of Designated Agent forms are also available online.rnrnFor additional information, call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit www.votesPA.com. Under "Voting & Elections," select "Types of Voting" and then "Absentee Ballot."rnrnMEDIA CONTACT: Wanda Murren, (717) 783-1621rnrn rnrnSOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State

MIDDLETOWN, Pa., May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Pennsylvania Lottery players, check your tickets: two prize-winning tickets each sold on opposite ends of the state are nearing their one-year expiration dates. They are:rnrnA jackpot-winning Quinto evening drawing ticket worth $50,000 that was sold at Sunoco APlus Express, 3398 Aramingo Ave., Philadelphia, for the May 8, 2014 drawing. The winning ticket correctly matched all five balls drawn, 2-8-4-0-4. A claim must be filed with the Lottery by Friday, May 8.rnA jackpot-winning Quinto day ticket worth $50,000 that was sold at Frankstown BP, 8936 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, for the May 12, 2014 drawing. The winning ticket correctly matched all five balls drawn, 1-6-1-1-1. Two other jackpot-winning tickets for that drawing have been claimed. A claim must be filed with the Lottery by Tuesday, May 12.rnAll final prize amounts will be less 25 percent federal withholding.rnrnBy law, unclaimed, expired lottery prizes remain in the Lottery Fund and are used to support programs benefiting older Pennsylvanians.rnrnPlayers are reminded to check every ticket, every time, at self-service scanners located at retailers and also found on Lottery self-service play terminals. The Lottery reminds players to sign tickets immediately upon their purchase for proof of ownership.rnrnThe Pennsylvania Lottery encourages claimants to sign the back of the ticket, call the Lottery at 717-702-8146 and file a timely claim at any of Lottery's seven area offices or at Lottery headquarters in Middletown, Dauphin County. Claims may be filed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at area Lottery offices and from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at headquarters.rnrnThe Quinto game is now known as PICK 5 under a rebranding of Pennsylvania Lottery draw games that took place in January 2015. The unclaimed tickets from 2014 will have the name Quinto at the top.rnrnAbout the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception in 1971, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed more than $24.7 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free transit and reduced-fare shared rides; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state.rnrnThe Pennsylvania Lottery reminds players to check every ticket, every time. Players must be 18 or older. Please play responsibly. For help with a gambling problem, call 1-800-848-1880.rnrnFor drawings results, winning numbers, winners' stories and to subscribe to the Lottery's RSS news feed, visit www.palottery.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/palottery or follow us at www.twitter.com/palottery. rnrnMEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Bottaro, 717-702-8008rnrn rnrnSOURCE Pennsylvania LotteryrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.palottery.com