Registering to Vote
Register to vote online:
- Visit the PA Voter Services website to register.
- Fill in the online form and submit. You will need your driver’s license or state ID in order to complete your voter registration application. Your county elections office will review your application.
- You will receive your Voter Registration Card in the mail when your registration is complete.
- If your voter registration card does not come in the mail within 14 days, contact your county voter registration office.
Register to vote by U.S. mail:
- Download the Voter Registration Application. Print the form, fill it in, and sign it.
- Address an envelope to your county election office, stamp it, and mail it OR return it to your county elections office.
- Paper voter registration forms must be received in county voter registration offices by close of business on the voter registration deadline. If your voter registration card does not come in the mail within 14 days, contact your county voter registration office.
Register to vote in person:
- Go to your local county elections office, request a voter registration application, fill it out, and return it to the clerk.
- You will receive your Voter Registration Card in the mail after completing your registration.
- Contact your county voter registration office if your voter registration card does not come in the mail within 14 days.
Register to vote at PennDOT and other government agencies:
You can register to vote at any Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) photo or driver’s license center when you obtain or update your driver's license.
To find your nearest PennDOT location, follow this link
You can also register to vote at state government offices, including:
- State offices that provide public assistance and services to persons with disabilities
- Armed Forces Recruitment Centers
- County Clerk of Orphans' Court offices, including each Marriage License Bureau
- Area Agencies on Aging
- Centers for Independent Living
- County Mental Health and Intellectual Disability offices
- Student disability services offices of the State System of Higher Education
- Offices of Special Education
- DA Complementary Paratransit offices
- Any agency using the Compass application
Updating your registration
If you are registered to vote in Pennsylvania, you do not have to register again unless you need to change your name, address, or political party.
If you are unsure if you are registered, you can check your voter registration status here.
You must update your voter registration if you:
- Move or change your address
- Change your name
- Wish to change your party
Follow the directions above to update your registration online, by mail, or in-person. When updating your registration make sure to check the appropriate box or boxes at the top of the voter registration form. For more information on how to update your registration, follow this link
Mail-In Voting
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 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.
In order to request either ballot, you must be registered to vote. You can check your voter registration status here.
Vote by mail important information:
- You can call or visit your local elections office to request a mail-in-voting application
- You can complete the vote by mail application online at this link
- If you cannot submit an application online or don't have a printer to download an application form, you may submit an online request to have a form mailed to you.
- If you plan on voting by mail, your completed application must be received in the county office by 5:00 PM one week before the election.
You must apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot for each election unless you qualify for and request permanent status to vote by mail-in ballot.
Annual mail-in ballot request:
You can request to be added to the annual mail-in ballot request list, where you'll receive an application to renew your mail-in ballot request each year.
Learn more about the annual mail-in ballot request.
How to fill out and submit a mail-in ballot:
- Read the instructions carefully and mark your ballot. Complete the front and back of each page.
- Seal your completed ballot inside of the Secrecy Envelope that says official election ballot. Don’t make any marks on it. Your vote will not be counted if it is not sealed inside the Secrecy Envelope.
- Seal the secrecy envelope inside the pre-addressed return envelope. Complete, sign, and date the voter’s declaration on the outer return envelope.
- If you do not sign and date below the declaration on the return envelope, your ballot will not be counted.
All voted mail-in ballots must be submitted by mail or in-person to your county elections office or at your polling place by 8 pm on election day.
Pennsylvania voters with disabilities now have the opportunity to mark their absentee or mail-in ballot electronically. Learn more about the accessible remote ballot marking solution.
Early In-Person Voting
If you are a registered Pennsylvania voter, you can use the early in-person voting option. As soon as ballots are ready, you can request, receive, vote, and cast your mail-in or absentee ballot all in one visit to your county election board or another officially designated site. With this option, there is no need for mail at all, and you can cast your vote at your convenience.
To do so, follow these steps:
- Check your county’s website or call your county to see if ballots are finalized and available.
- If ballots are available, go to your county election board or other designated location in person. You will need your PennDOT ID number, Social Security number, or another valid form of identification.
- Apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot and receive it from the clerk, if eligible.
- Mark your ballot, seal it in the secrecy envelope, place in the return envelope, and sign and date the voter declaration on the outer envelope.
- Return the ballot to the clerk
Learn more about voting early in person by mail-in or absentee ballot here.
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