Voter Registration - ID Requirement - Acceptable Forms of ID - Early Voting - Absentee Voting - Provisonal Voting - Sample Ballots - Type of Primary

State Contact Information
Bureau of Commissions,
Elections and Legislation
210 N. Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
P: (717) 787-5280

Phone: (717) 787-5280
Fax: (717) 705-0721
Web: http://www.votespa.com/
Email: RA-stelections@state.pa.us

Voter Registration
To register to vote in Pennsylvania, you must be:

• A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
• A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
• At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

Once you have registered to vote, you are not required to register again unless you change your residence, name, or political party affiliation.

Please note that any intentional false statement made on an application for voter registration constitutes perjury and is punishable by law.

Eligibility for Primary Elections

A primary election is an election in which a political party nominates its candidates for an upcoming general election. The rules for voting in primary elections vary from state to state. In Pennsylvania:

• You must be registered and enrolled in a political party to vote in that party's primary.
• All registered voters are entitled to vote on Constitutional amendments, ballot questions and in all special elections that might be held at the same time as a primary election.

Eligibility for Convicted Felons

• The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled on December 26, 2000 that the Pennsylvania law prohibiting convicted felons from registering to vote for five years after their release from prison is unconstitutional. Consequently, if completing an older version of the Voter Registration Mail Application (VRMA) form, a convicted felon who has been released from prison may make application to register to vote by striking through the felony conviction line at Section 9(2) on the VRMA and signing his or her name.
• Convicted felons who are incarcerated on the date of a primary or general election are not eligible to vote, regardless of whether they are registered. However, pre-trial detainees and misdemeanants are eligible to register to vote and/or to vote by absentee ballot if they otherwise qualify to vote under law.
  

How to Register to Vote
In Person

• You can register to vote at a County Voter Registration Office or other designated sites.
  • You can also request Voter Registration Mail Application(s):
    • To request that Pennsylvania Voter Registration Mail Applications be sent to you, please provide your full name and mailing address via the following link: ST-VOTERREG@state.pa.us. Remember to indicate the number of voter registration forms that you require. To request multiple Pennsylvania Voter Registration Mail Applications for voter registration drives, please call 1-800-552-VOTE.
• You can register to vote at a PA Department of Transportation photo license center when you obtain or update your driver's license.
• Other state government offices:
  • 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 Mental Retardation offices
  • Student disability services offices of the State System of Higher Education
  • Offices of Special Education
  • DA Complementary Paratransit offices

By Mail

You can register to vote by mail in two ways:

• Get a Voter Registration Mail Application form from the state or federal government. The Secretary of the Commonwealth and all county registration commissions supply Voter Registration Mail Applications to all persons and organizations who request them, including candidates, political parties and political bodies and other federal, state and municipal offices.
• Download the Voter Registration Application. Print, complete, sign and deliver to your County Voter Registration Office by mail or in person.
• Pennsylvania law provides for permanent voter registration, unless the voter's registration should be cancelled in accordance with law. All electors, except those in the military service of the United States and bedridden or hospitalized war veterans unavoidably absent from their county of residence, must be registered to be eligible to vote.

Close of Registration: 30 days before Election Day.
Please visit: http://www.votespa.com/CountyContactsandWebSites/tabid/89/language/en-US/Default.aspx to find your county's election and voter registration officials.

ID Requirement
Only persons who will be voting at a polling place for the first time are required to show proof of identification. Voters who do not bring ID on Election Day may vote with a provisional ballot. Please read below under "Provisional Voting" for more information.

Acceptable Forms of ID
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:

• Voter ID card issued by the voter registration commission
• Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
• Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
• Firearm permit
• Current utility bill
• Current bank statement
• Current paycheck
• Government check

If you do not bring your ID on Election Day, vote with a provisional ballot (please read Provisional Ballot).

Early Voting (N/A)
Early voting is not offered in the state of Pennsylvania. Voters who wish to vote before Election Day see Absentee Ballot/Vote By Mail.

Absentee Voting/Vote By Mail (restricted)
In Pennsylvania, voters must provide a reason or excuse in order to vote by absentee ballot. To vote by absentee ballot, a voter must apply to the County Board of Elections for an absentee ballot. The County Board of Elections will send a paper absentee ballot to the voter. The voter then completes the ballot and returns it to the County Board of Elections.

Who may Vote by Absentee Ballot?

The following people may vote for any office in any election by absentee ballot as long as they are registered to vote (unless otherwise indicated):

• A person who is or may be in the military service of the United States, regardless of whether at the time of voting the person is present in the election district of residence or in the Commonwealth and regardless of whether he or she is registered to vote.
• A spouse or dependent residing with or accompanying a person in the military service of the United States and who expects on Election Day to be absent from his or her municipality of residence during the entire period in which the polling places are open for voting (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
• A member of the Merchant Marine and his/her spouse and dependents residing with or accompanying the Merchant Marine, who expect on Election Day to be absent from the Commonwealth or the municipality of residence during the entire period in which the polling places are open for voting (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
• A member of a religious or welfare group attached to and serving with the armed forces and his/her spouse and dependents residing with or accompanying him or her, who expect on Election Day to be absent from the Commonwealth or the municipality of residence during the entire period in which the polling places are open for voting (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
• An individual who, because of the elector's duties, occupation or business (including leaves of absence for teaching, vacations and sabbatical leaves), expects on Election Day to be absent from his/her municipality of residence during the entire period the polls are open for voting and the spouse and dependents of such electors who are residing with or accompanying the elector and for that reason also expect to be absent from his/her municipality during the entire period the polls are open for voting (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
• A qualified war veteran elector who is bedridden or hospitalized due to illness or physical disability if the elector is absent from the municipality of his residence and unable to attend his/her polling place because of such illness or disability, regardless of whether the elector is registered to vote.
• A person who, because of illness or physical disability, is unable to attend his/her polling place or to operate a voting machine and obtain assistance by distinct and audible statements. (Note: A disabled elector may be placed on a permanently disabled absentee file.)
• A spouse or dependent accompanying a person employed by the Commonwealth or the federal government, in the event that the employee's duties, occupation or business on Election Day require him/her to be absent from the Commonwealth or the municipality of residence during the entire period the polls are open for voting (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
• A county employee who expects that his Election Day duties relating to the conduct of the election will prevent the employee from voting.
• A person who will not attend a polling place on Election Day because of the observance of a religious holiday.
  

How to Request an Absentee Ballot

To obtain an absentee ballot application:

• Ensure you are registered to vote. If you're unsure, confirm your registration by contacting your county's Election and Voter Registration official at http://www.votespa.com/CountyContactsandWebSites/tabid/89/language/en-US/Default.aspx
• Download and print an Absentee Ballot Application (PDF) at http://www.dos.state.pa.us/voting/lib/voting/02_voter_registration_applications/absenteeballot/absentee_ballot_application_%2808-13-04%29.pdf and send it to your County Election Office.
• Note to first-time voters: if you're a first-time voter and plan on using an absentee ballot, you will need to provide a copy of a driver's license or any other type of acceptable ID. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found under "Acceptable Forms of ID."

If you would like to designate another person to assist you in delivering a completed absentee or alternative ballot, print, complete and return the following forms to the County Board of Elections:

• Designation of Agent to Assist Disabled Voter in Delivering Completed Absentee or Alternative Ballot (PDF) (http://www.dos.state.pa.us/voting/lib/voting/02_voter_registration_applications/absenteeballot/09-30-04_designated_agent_form.pdf)
• Certification of Designated Agent (PDF) (http://www.dos.state.pa.us/voting/lib/voting/02_voter_registration_applications/absenteeballot/09-30-04_certification_of_designated_agent.pdf)

A qualified absentee voter may apply for an absentee ballot either through an application form or through letter. An application by letter or other document must be signed by the voter and must include the same information as required on forms provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

When to Request an Absentee Ballot
The County Board of Elections must receive letter applications no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before Election Day.

Except for military and civilian voters who make an emergency application for absentee ballot, an absentee ballot application must be completed, signed by the voter and received by the County Board of Elections no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before Election Day.

Emergency Absentee Ballots

Emergency Absentee Ballot Applications are available at the county Board of Elections Office. If you have an emergency and did not apply for an absentee ballot by 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to Election Day, you may download and apply for an Emergency Absentee Ballot. This application must be notarized before it is submitted.

Emergency Absentee Ballot Application (PDF) can be accessed at (http://www.dos.state.pa.us/voting/lib/voting/02_voter_registration_applications/absenteeballot/emergency_absentee_application_%2809-17-04%29.pdf)

• The County Board of Elections will process and approve only those Emergency Absentee Ballot Applications that have been completed and signed by the applicant elector before a notary public.
• Emergency Absentee Ballot Applications must be submitted to the County Board of Elections between 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before Election Day and 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day.

• How to obtain an Emergency Absentee Ballot if an emergency occurs after 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day:
  • If you become physically disabled or ill between 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day and 8 p.m. on Election Day or if you find out after 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day that you will be absent from your municipality of residence on Election Day because of your business, duties or occupation, you can receive an Emergency Absentee Ballot if you complete and file with the Court of Common Pleas in the county where you are registered to vote an emergency application or a letter or other signed document, which includes the same information as that provided on the emergency application.
• How to obtain an Emergency Absentee Ballot if you are not able to appear in court:
  • If you are not able to appear in court to receive the ballot, you can designate, in writing, a representative to deliver the absentee ballot to you and return your completed absentee ballot to the County Board of Elections. If you are not able to appear in court or obtain assistance from an authorized representative, the judge will direct a deputy sheriff of the county to deliver the absentee ballot to you if you are at a physical location within the county.
• Emergency Absentee Ballot Applications from voters who experience an emergency after 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day must be submitted to the Court of Common Pleas no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.
  

Important note on emergency absentee voting:
To designate an authorized representative to deliver your Emergency Absentee Ballot, you must complete and sign the Authorized Representative Form and the authorized representative must complete and sign the Certification of Authorized Representative. The following are the necessary forms to request an Emergency Application if an emergency occurs after 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day:

• Emergency Application for voters who experience an emergency between 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day and 8 p.m. on Election Day (PDF)
• Authorized Representative Form for voters who experience an emergency between 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day and 8 p.m. on Election Day (PDF)
• Certification of Authorized Representative Form for voters who experience an emergency between 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day and 8 p.m. on Election Day (PDF)

Please visit http://www.votespa.com/Home/tabid/36/language/en-US/Default.aspx for more information.

Provisional Voting (in jurisdiction/county)
A provisional ballot is used to record a vote when there is some question regarding a voter's eligibility. You have the right to vote by provisional ballot if:

• Even though you are properly registered and eligible to vote in the election district, your name does not appear on the district register (poll book) and Election Officials cannot determine your registration status.
• You do not have an approved form of identification the first time you appear to vote in an election district (this is required regardless of whether your name appears on the general register).
• An Election Official asserts that you are not eligible to vote. (In a primary election, this includes voters who claim to be registered for a particular political party, but the district register indicates they are registered as a member of another political party.)

You are required to vote by provisional ballot if:

• You are voting as a result of a Federal or State court order.
• You are voting as a result of an order extending the time established for closing the polls by state law that is in effect 10 days before an election.

County Election Officials will examine the provisional ballots within seven days after an election to determine whether you were entitled to vote in the election at the election district where you voted.

Please note: Voters must cast their provisional ballot in the correct county in order for their vote to count.

If you vote by provisional ballot, you will be asked to follow these instructions:

1. Complete and sign the provisional ballot affidavit on the back of the provisional ballot affidavit envelope.
2. Complete a provisional ballot in an accessible and private area of the polling place.
3. Seal the completed provisional ballot in the secrecy envelope.
4. Seal the secrecy envelope in the provisional ballot affidavit envelope.
5. Sign the front of the provisional ballot affidavit envelope.
6. Return the sealed provisional ballot affidavit envelope to a polling place election official.
7. Receive your provisional ballot identification receipt.

How Do I Know if My Provisional Ballot Counted?
Within seven days after the election, the County Board of Elections will examine your provisional ballot to determine if it is valid. After this seven-day period, you can find out if your provisional ballot was counted, partially counted or not counted. If your provisional ballot was not counted, you will be told why it was not counted. To learn of your provisional ballot's status, you may call 1-877-VOTESPA or select voter services.

To receive this information, you will be asked to provide your provisional ballot identification number, which can be found on your provisional ballot identification receipt.

Sample Ballots

Please contact your county elections official for information on sample ballots at http://www.votespa.com/CountyContactsandWebSites/tabid/89/language/en-US/Default.aspx.

Type of Primary (closed)
Pennsylvania holds closed primary elections, and therefore you must be a member of the party to vote for that party's candidate (for example, you could not vote in the Republican primary unless you are a registered member of the Republican Party).