VOTER REGISTRATION

Registration Deadline: The voter registration deadline is the same no matter how you register to vote: 15 days before any election. Applications postmarked by the deadline are no longer accepted.

Party Affiliation:

You must be registered with a political party to vote in Pennsylvania elections. In order to participate in primary elections, you must be registered with either the Democratic or Republican Party. 

You can change your political party at any time. When the change gets made in the system depends on when you make the change.

*Changes made more than 30 days before an election will take effect for that election. 

*Changes made 30 days or less before an election will take effect for the next election. 

VOTER REGISTRATION QUALIFICATIONS

Age: At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next election.

Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen for at least 30 days before the next election.

Residency: Must be a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next election.

Learn more about residential requirements. 

Felony Convictions: Voting rights restored automatically after release from prison. Learn more about convicted felons voting information.

OBTAINING A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM

Online:  Online voter registration application

In person: You can register to vote at a County Voter Registration Office

By mail: Download the Pennsylvania Voter Registration Application. Print it, then fill it in, sign it and send it to your county voter registration office.

VERIFYING YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS

Online: Find your voter registration status

Phone: You can also confirm your registration by contacting your county elections office or by calling 1-877-VOTESPA.

ABSENTEE BALLOT QUALIFICATIONS

Who can vote absentee: If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness that prevents you from going to your polling place on election day, you can request this ballot type, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot. Click here for further information.

OBTAINING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION

Online: Click here for the online application. (English, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese are available)

In person: Beginning 50 days before an election, voters can stop by a county election office to apply  in  person.

By mail: Beginning 50 days before an election, Download and print an Absentee Ballot Application (Spanish version) and send it to your county elections office.

From the primary election forward, the deadline for your county to receive your  application for a mail-in ballot is before 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election.

Military and overseas voting: 

Learn about voting as a military or overseas voter here.

Emergency Voting: In emergency situations (such as an unexpected illness or disability and last-minute absence) following the deadline at 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election, you can request an Emergency Absentee Ballot.

The deadline to submit your Emergency Absentee Ballot Application to the County Election Office is 8:00 pm on election day.

SUBMITTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

The deadline to return your voted mail-in or absentee ballot is 8 p.m. on election day. If you are unable to return your ballot by the deadline either in person or mail, you may only vote by a provisional ballot at your polling place. 

MAIL-IN VOTING

Online: Registered voters can apply for a mail-in ballot online with a valid PA driver's license or photo I.D. from the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

By Mail: Download and print a mail-in ballot application (Spanish version). Send your mail-in ballot application to the county election office. 

By Person: Apply in person at your county election office. Once your county's ballot is finalized and available, you may request and promptly receive your mail-in ballot.

The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is one week before the election.

COLLEGE STUDENT VOTERS

You have the right to register and vote where you live while attending college in Pennsylvania. You can use either an on-campus or off-campus address. You may choose to register and vote at your prior home address.

Click here for more information.

VALID IDENTIFICATION:

-U.S. Passport

-U.S. Military ID (active duty and retired military ID may designate an expiration date that is indefinite). Military dependents' ID must contain a current expiration date.

-Employee photo identification issued by Federal, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania county, or Pennsylvania municipal government.

-Photo identification issued by an accredited Pennsylvania public or private institution of higher learning.

-Photo identification issued by a Pennsylvania care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences and personal care homes.

See below for further information regarding valid identification. 

VOTING ON ELECTION DAY

In Pennsylvania, polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.

The first time you vote, you must bring a photo or non-photo ID.

If you need help voting, cannot use the voting system, or cannot go to a polling place because of a disability, learn about accessible voting options.

VOTING BY PROVISIONAL BALLOT

Sometimes the County Elections Office needs more time to determine a voter's eligibility to vote. We may ask that voter to vote with a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot records your vote, while the County Election Office determines whether it can be counted.

For more information, click here

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Deciding how to vote: https://votesmart.org

Polling Place: Polling place locator

How to Vote: Voting system demonstrations

Getting your vote counted: Know your voter rights.

Problems with voting: HAVA complaint procedures or contact the County Board of Elections

Verifying provisional ballot status: Search for your provisional ballot status.

Verifying absentee ballot status: Click here to verify your absentee ballot status.