Know Your Options to Vote
Mail-in and Absentee Ballots
Once you are registered to vote in Pennsylvania, you have a few options regarding how to vote. If you prefer a mail ballot, you have two options:
Mail-In Ballot: Any qualified voter may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason.
Absentee Ballot: 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.
Identification for Mail-In and Absentee Ballots
In order to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot, you must supply proof of identification (ID), unless you are a uniformed and overseas citizen or are a voter who qualifies under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped ACT. The accepted forms of ID include either a current and valid Pennsylvania driver’s license, a PennDOT photo ID card, the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number, or a photocopy of one of the following IDs showing name, a photo and an expiration date that is current:
A U.S. Passport
A U.S. Military ID
An Employee photo ID issued by Federal, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania county, or Pennsylvania municipal government
Photo ID 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
Applying for a Mail-In or Absentee Ballot Online
If you have the proper proof of identification, you can apply online for a mail-in or absentee ballot here. Through this form you can also sign up to be an annual mail-in voter or provide an email address to receive notifications about your application and ballot status.
Applying for a Mail-In or Absentee Ballot by Mail
Paper ballot applications come in several languages, including a Mail-in and Absentee applications in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese and can be downloaded here. Paper applications can also be received by:
Contacting your county election board directly to request a paper application
Contacting the Department of State to request an application by emailing ra-voterreg@pa.gov or calling 1-877-VOTESPA
Applying for a Mail-In or Absentee Ballot in Person
Apply in person at your county election board or other designated locations. Once your county’s ballot is finalized and available, you may request and promptly receive your mail-in ballot.
Contact your county election board for more information.
Emergency Absentee Ballot
In the case of an emergency such as illness, disability, or last-minute absence, you can request an Emergency Absentee Ballot after 5:00pm on the Tuesday before the election. This must be submitted to the County Election Board by the time polls close, 8:00pm, on Election Day.
Annual Mail-In Ballot Request List
You can request to be added to the annual mail-in ballot list and you’ll automatically receive an application to renew your mail-in ballot request each February. Once this request is approved, you will receive ballots automatically for the remainder of the year. You must submit a request to vote by mail ballot every year that you wish to vote by mail.
Completing A Mail-In or Absentee Ballot
Detailed instructions for completing and returning your ballot can be found here. Absentee and Mail-In Ballots must be received by 8:00pm on election day at your county election board. To ensure your ballot is received by the deadline, return the ballot as soon as possible.
Voting at the Polls
Accessibility Voting
Every polling place in Pennsylvania must have at least one accessible voting system. Sometimes this is the general voting system used by all voters. It may be a separate system with features such as audio, tactile keys and other assistive technology. Further details on accessibility around voting are located here.
Hours of Polls
Some employers offer paid or unpaid time off to vote on election day. Check with your employer to see if this applies to you. Polls are open from 7:00am – 8:00pm. Anyone in line by 8:00pm will be allowed to vote. After your first time at the polls, and if your polling place has not changed, you will only be asked for your name before being able to vote.
Updating Your Voter Registration
Use the Find Voter Registration Status form on the Pennsylvania Department of State website
Call 1-877-VOTESPA
Changing Your Political Party
On the voter registration form, select the box that says ‘Change of 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 15 days before an election will take effect for that election.
Changes made 15 days or less before an election will take effect for the next election.
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