I live in Allegheny county. The sample ballot is exactly the same as the real one I voted on in person. Unless it’s watermarked or some other hidden protection, what’s to stop somebody from printing off as many of these and filling them out?

My brother's friend showed up to vote in person in Allegheny county and was told he had to use a provisional ballot because he requested a mail-in ballot. The problem is he never requested a mail-in ballot. The online tracker shows he requested one in May and was mailed in September but he never got one. The status of the ballot is pending. He proceeded to complete the provisional ballot but when he called the elections office last week to request the status of his provisional ballot which does not show up on the status, he was told his vote doesn't matter because it wouldn't change the outcome of the election.

His friend told him another person in front of him had the same issue where he was told to complete a provisional ballot because a mail-in was requested but not received.