Find Answers
Voting Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Am I registered to vote?
Q. When is the deadline to register to vote for the May 17, 2022 election?
A. The deadline to register to vote is May 2, 2022.
Q. How can I register to vote?
Q. How can I change my voter registration?
Q. How do I request a mail-in or absentee ballot?
Q. When is the deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot?
A. Applications for a mail-in or absentee ballot must be received by your county election board by Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 5pm.
Q. When is the deadline to return a mail-in or absentee ballot?
A. The deadline to return a mail-in or absentee ballot is 8pm on Tuesday, May 17th 2022. Postmarks are not enough.
Q. How do I return my mail-in or absentee ballot?
A. Voters may mail back their completed mail-in or absentee ballot to their county election board. Voters may also return their completed mail-in or absentee ballot to their county election board during that office's business hours, or another officially designated location. Ballots must be received by your county election board before 8 pm on Election Day, May 17th. You can find out where to return your ballot here.
Q. Can someone else return my ballot?
A. No. Return your own ballot as soon as you receive it. Mail it or deliver it in person to your county board of elections office or other official location designated by your county board of elections. The only exceptions are if you are a voter with a disability and have designated someone, in writing, to deliver your ballot, or if you need an emergency absentee ballot.
Q. Can I return my voted mail-in or absentee ballot at my polling place?
A. No. If you received a mail ballot but did not complete it, you may surrender your unvoted mail-in ballot, along with both envelopes, at your polling place, and vote using a regular ballot. If you completed vote your mail ballot and returned it to your county board of elections, you are not eligible to vote at your polling place. If you believe that you are eligible to vote in person, you can vote by provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be reviewed by the county board of elections after Election Day. If you requested a mail ballot but did not receive it, or you do not have it to surrender at your polling place, you may vote by provisional ballot at your polling place.
Q. Who can request a mail in ballot or absentee ballot?
A. In Pennsylvania, you have two options for mail ballots.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.
Q. Why are there two envelopes with my mail-in ballot?
A. The smaller secrecy envelope is intended to protect the anonymity of your vote. After you fill out your ballot, you must place it in the secrecy envelope and seal it.
Do not make any marks on this envelope. If you fail to place and seal your ballot in this envelope or if you make marks on this envelope, your ballot will not be counted.
The second, larger envelope is the mailing and declaration envelope. You must use it, even if you are dropping your ballot off at a drop box. Place your secrecy envelope (with your ballot inside) into the mailing and declaration envelope. You must seal it and sign and date the declaration before you can return your ballot.
Both of these envelopes must be used in order for your vote to count.
Q. Should I bring ID to the polling place?
A. All voters who appear at a polling place for the first time must show proof of identification. Approved forms of photo identification include:
- Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID card
- ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
- ID issued by the U.S. Government
- U.S. passport
- U.S. Armed Forces ID
- Student ID
- Employee ID
If you do not have a photo ID, you can use a non-photo identification that includes your name and address.
Approved forms of non-photo identification include:
- Confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
- Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
- Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
- Firearm permit
- Current utility bill
- Current bank statement
- Currrent paycheck
- Government check
