If knowledge is power, state officials are trying to empower the state’s voters.

The Department of State has kicked off a voter education initiative.

“As part of Governor Shapiro’s commitment to strengthening our democracy and keeping our elections safe and secure, we are kicking off our voter education initiative a month early this year to remind Pennsylvania voters about key dates and deadlines for the April 23 Primary Election,” Secretary of the Commonwealth A Schmidt said.

“Registered voters who want to make their voice heard deserve early, clear, nonpartisan information about how they can cast their ballot, and that is exactly what the Department of State is providing.”

That includes highlighting several key dates.

First, the last date to register to vote in the April 23 Primary Election is April 8.

The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is April 16 and the deadline to return that ballot is 8 p.m. on election night.

State officials have rolled out a “voter education toolkit” on the Department of State website which includes graphics in multiple languages for “stakeholders and the public to share online to help promote public confidence in elections and further educate voters about the Primary.”

The envelope for the mail-in ballots was also redesigned to bring uniformity across the state and reduce the likelihood that voters will make errors that result in their ballot being rejected.

“The Shapiro Administration designed mail ballot instructions and materials to be clearer and easier for Pennsylvania voters to understand,” Schmidt said. “The redesigned envelopes and instruction sheet have revised language to better guide voters through properly filling out, packing, and returning their mail ballot.”