Pennsylvania VBM Guide

Requesting a Mail-In Ballot and Voting by Mail in Pennsylvania*

Deadline to Request a Mail-In Ballot: Received by October 27th at 5:00PM (not postmarked)
Deadline to Submit a Mail-In Ballot: Must be postmarked by 8 pm on Nov. 3 and received by the County Election Office by 5 pm on Nov. 6

*PA allows mail-in-voting for all voters as well as “absentee voting,” which is only for voters who qualify. For domestic civilian voters, the same deadlines apply.

How can voters request a mail-in ballot?

They can submit an Online application with a PA driver’s license or State ID number
They can mail or deliver in person to their County Election Office an application printed from this website
They can contact their County Election Office or the PA Department of State by email (ra-voterreg@pa.gov) or by calling 1-877-VOTESPA to request an application be sent to them by mail
Application forms are to be made freely available to the public

Can you assist voters in requesting a ballot?

Yes. There is no prohibition on assistance in requesting a ballot for a qualified mail-in-voter. However, only the voter may sign the application unless the voter is unable to do so due to illness or physical disability, in which case the voter may receive assistance from an adult member of the voter’s immediate family.

Voters may choose a designee to pick up and deliver an absentee ballot but not a mail ballot. Call county for details.

How can voters return a marked ballot?

Voters must mark their ballot, put it in the secrecy envelope, and then place the secrecy envelope in the official envelope, and sign the declaration. Ballots without secrecy envelopes will not be counted.

Voters can submit their marked ballots by mail or in person to the County Board of Elections or a satellite location by 8 pm on Nov 3. See this link for county locations and hours, including satellite offices/drop box availability.

Can you assist voters in returning a marked ballot?

Not generally, no. The law generally requires the voter to mail or deliver in person their own signed mail-in-ballot, but there are some exceptions for voters who qualify to vote absentee. Anyone who due to illness or disability cannot sign the ballot may receive assistance from another adult who must complete a certification. Additionally, a voter who qualifies for an absentee ballot can choose a designee to both pick up the ballot and deliver a completed Deadline to Request a Mail-In Ballot: Received by October 27th at 5:00PM (not postmarked) Deadline to Submit a Mail-In Ballot: Must be postmarked by 8 pm on Nov. 3 and received by the County Election Office by 5 pm on Nov. 6 one to the county office. Multiple qualified voters, moreover, may designate the same person for ballot delivery, and a single person may serve as an authorized representative for multiple qualified voters. Contact your County Election Office for details.

Fair Elections Center and Campus Vote Project intend the information contained herein to be used only as a general guide. This document should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania legal professional.

Last updated October 2020

For more information, visit
www.fairelectionscenter.org

If you have questions or are experiencing problems voting, call the Election Protection Hotline and speak with a volunteer to get help.

Pennsylvania VBM Guide

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