How to vote in Pennsylvania

• Register to vote (online): 15 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (by mail): Received by 15 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (in person): 15 days before Election Day

• If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Pennsylvania registration using the Pennsylvania voter registration lookup site.
• If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.

• You can register online if you have a Pennsylvania driver’s license or non-driver ID card, or a Social Security number. When using your Social Security Number, you must upload your signature.

• Visit the Pennsylvania online voter registration site.
• Fill out all the required fields.
• You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
• You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
• The deadline to register to vote online is 15 days before Election Day.

1. Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
2. Box 6 - ID Number: Enter your PA driver’s license number. If you don't have one, enter the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you don't have either number, write "NONE" in this space.
3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: You must register with a major party if you want to take part in that party’s primary election.
4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: This information is requested but not required. Put the choice that best describes you from the list below: - American Indian or Alaskan Native - Asian or Pacific Islander - Black, not of Hispanic Origin - Hispanic - Multi-racial - White, not of Hispanic Origin - Other
5. Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
6. Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
7. Your voter registration form must be received by 15 days before Election Day.

• Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
• Bring your Pennsylvania driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and Pennsylvania address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.

• You cannot vote while incarcerated.
• You can vote while on parole.
• You can vote while on probation.
• You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
• No financial obligations.
• Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.

• Earliest day to apply: January 1
• Request deadline (online): 7 days before Election Day
• Request deadline (by mail): Received by 7 days before Election Day
• Request deadline (in person): 7 days before Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day

1. Visit the Pennsylvania absentee ballot website.
2. Fill out all of the required information.
3. Hit save or submit when you are done.
4. The deadline to apply online is 7 days before Election Day.

1. Download the Pennsylvania absentee ballot application.
2. Fill out all of the required fields.
3. Print the application.
4. Sign and date your application. This is very important.
5. Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
6. If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
7. Your application must be received by 7 days before Election Day.

1. Visit your local election office.
2. Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
3. Fill out all of the required fields.
4. Sign and date your application.
5. The deadline to apply in person is 7 days before Election Day.

1. Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
2. Sign and date the outside envelope.
3. Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
4. If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
5. If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
6. If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.

• ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
  • Online applications: You can request your absentee ballot online using one of the following forms of identification:
  • Pennsylvania driver’s license OR non-driver ID issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
  • Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. When using your Social Security Number, you will be asked to upload your signature.
  • Paper applications: To submit a paper application by mail or in person, you have two options for ID.
  • Option 1: One of the following numbers:
    • Pennsylvania driver’s license OR non-driver ID issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
    • Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
  • Option 2: If you don’t have any of the above numbers, a copy of an acceptable photo ID that is current. which includes:
  • Examples of photo ID:
    • US passport or passport card
    • Military ID
    • Employee ID card with a photo issued by any level of federal, state, or local government, or by an accredited Pennsylvania public or private institution of higher learning
    • Photo ID issued by a Pennsylvania care facility
• ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:

  Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.

Track your ballot here: Pennsylvania absentee ballot tracker

Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.

Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.

Emergency Ballot Rules

Dates & Deadlines

• Emergency ballot request ends 8PM on Election Day
• Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day

Contact your local election office