Request Your Mail-In Ballot
“Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” - Abraham Lincoln
“Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” - Abraham Lincoln
In Pennsylvania, registered voters can request either a no-excuse mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot.
Mail-in ballot: Any registered voter may apply to vote by mail in the next election. You do not have to provide a reason for why you want to vote by mail ballot.
Absentee ballot: If you will be out of your 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 requires you to provide a reason for why you want to vote by mail ballot.
Before you apply, be sure to check your voter registration status to ensure you are registered to vote and your information is up to date.
5 p.m. Oct. 28: Your APPLICATION for a mail-in or absentee ballot must be received by your county election office.
8 p.m. Nov. 4 : Your county election office must RECEIVE your completed mail ballot by this time. A postmark by 8 p.m. Nov. 4 is not sufficient.
Reminder: all registered voters can vote in the election for nominees:
Contact your county board of elections for ballot information: vote.pa.gov/County. If you are unsure about your voter registration status, go to vote.pa.gov/Status
Missed the deadline to apply for your mail ballot? If you have an emergency--such as an unexpected illness or disability or last-minute absence from your municipality--you may still be able to obtain a mail ballot after the May 13 deadline. Find information here about how to get an emergency absentee ballot.
Option 1: Apply for a ballot online
Registered voters can apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot online with a valid PA driver's license, PennDOT-issued photo ID, or the last 4 digits of their Social Security number.
Be sure to provide an email address with your application so you will receive ballot status notifications.
Military or overseas civilian voters can find information here on how to obtain a mail ballot.
Option 2: Apply for a ballot by mail
Step 1: Download and complete a paper application.
Registered voters who can’t make it to their polling place on Election Day because of illness, disability, work, or travel can apply for an absentee ballot using this form:
You can also request a paper application by:
Contacting your county election office directly,
Emailing the Department of State, or
Calling the Department at 1-877-VOTESPA.
Option 3: Apply for a ballot at your county election office
Once your county's ballot is finalized and available, you may apply in person at your county election office or other officially designated location and promptly receive your mail ballot.
Option 4: Vote in person by mail ballot before Election Day
You can vote in person by mail ballot in one trip to your county election office or other officially designated site. Once your county's ballots are ready, you can go to your elections office, request your mail ballot, receive it, complete it, and submit it all in the same visit.
Learn more about voting in person by mail ballot.
Option 5: Request an emergency absentee ballot
If you have an emergency--such as an unexpected illness, disability, or a last-minute absence from your municipality on Election Day--you can request an emergency absentee ballot after 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election.
You can submit your emergency absentee ballot application to your county election office any time before 8 p.m. on Election Day. Your completed absentee ballot is due at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
You now have the option to 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. Once your request is approved, you will automatically receive ballots for the remainder of the year, and you do not need to submit an application for each election.
Learn more about the annual mail-in ballot request.
If you have a disability that prevents you from applying in person for your mail ballot or delivering your mail ballot, you may designate an agent to deliver your ballot materials for you. You must designate someone in writing using the Authorize a Designated Agent Form or a form provided by your county.
The Department of State is committed to increasing accessibility for voters with disabilities. 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.
David Hunter Strother