For instance, I'm in PA (sigh, although I love where I live), and there are 3 in-person methods: Optical Scan, DRE (Direct Recording Electronic), and Paper Ballots. I voted by Paper Ballot in my rather small little township.
How is this determined state by state? Would it not make sense if in-person voting used the same method everywhere?
Yes, but most of the recent “workarounds” (Covid rules) have been mandated by “Blue State Executives”, NOT the State Legislatures AS REQUIRED by OUR (FEDERAL) CONSTITUTION. DeSantis (Florida) got it right by perfecting EVERY CORRECTIVE MEASURE, and solidifying their validity through the Florida legislature.
What's that got to do with the OP's question?