Pennsylvania General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:06 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:27 a.m. EDT
Can I trust this information?
This election guide is researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, to inform voters via TurboVote and other partners. The information in these guides originates from official sources. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.
How do I report an issue with the information provided on this page?
Drop us a line to report an issue, share feedback or ask questions about the voting information on this page.
Registration Summary
Pennsylvania offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Pennsylvania by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Pennsylvania allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person on Election Day. Pennsylvania offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- You can vote a mail-ballot in person in this election. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: request your mail ballot online by Oct 27.
- Visit the Pennsylvania website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Pennsylvania's website.
If you’re not registered:
- Register online by Oct 19.
- Your by mail registration form must be received by Oct 19.
What key changes should voters know about?
Due to a court order on March 31, 2025, county election offices may not reject a mail ballot as a result of an undated or incorrectly dated outer return envelope.
Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website or contact your local election office to learn more.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Pennsylvania’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Pennsylvania's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, you can cast a mail ballot in-person in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the in-person mail ballot voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Voting early at your local election office or other designated location may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about early in-person mail-in voting in Pennsylvania.
- Early voting is available at your local election office or other designated locations. Check Pennsylvania’s site to find where to cast your in-person mail ballot or contact your local election office to find where to cast your in-person mail ballot.
What do I need to bring?
If you are an active registered voter and you've voted at your polling place before, you don't need to show ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter, or if you moved within Pennsylvania and are voting for the first time at a new polling place, you must show ID to vote. You can show a photo or non-photo ID.
Photo ID cannot be expired, canceled, or revoked. Acceptable forms include:
- Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID card
- photo ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
- US passport
- US military ID
- student photo ID
- employee photo ID
Non-photo ID must include your name and address. Acceptable forms include:
- confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
- non-photo ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
- firearm permit
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or a government check
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.
Can I register to vote online?
- Pennsylvania offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Pennsylvania, you need to provide your Pennsylvania driver’s license number or PennDOT ID card number. If you do not have a Pennsylvania-issued ID, you need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, indicate you do not have an ID number. To complete the online voter registration application without a PennDOT ID number, you must upload a digital image of your signature. You can also request and sign a signature form from the Department of State or print and sign a voter registration application. Both the signature form and the printed registration application must be returned to your county elections office by mail or in person. If you don’t have an ID number and do not upload an image of your signature, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Pennsylvania does offer early voting, which in Pennsylvania is called in-person mail ballot voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the in-person mail ballot voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Voting early at your local election office or other designated location may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- In Pennsylvania, dates and times vary by where you live. Find when to vote.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting is available at your local election office or other designated locations. Check Pennsylvania's site or contact your local election office to find where to cast your in-person mail ballot.
What do I need to bring?
If you are an active registered voter and you've voted at your polling place before, you don't need to show ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter, or if you moved within Pennsylvania and are voting for the first time at a new polling place, you must show ID to vote. You can show a photo or non-photo ID.
Photo ID cannot be expired, canceled, or revoked. Acceptable forms include:
- Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID card
- photo ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
- US passport
- US military ID
- student photo ID
- employee photo ID
Non-photo ID must include your name and address. Acceptable forms include:
- confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
- non-photo ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
- firearm permit
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or a government check
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Pennsylvania voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Pennsylvania, you must provide your Pennsylvania driver's license number OR Department of Transportation (PennDOT) ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are required to register with a party to participate in Pennsylvania partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: In Pennsylvania, you are asked to indicate your race or ethnic group in the relevant box. However, you are not required to do so.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available at vote.pa.gov.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by mail ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
How do I vote by mail?
In Pennsylvania, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail. Fill out the mail ballot application and mail or return it in person to your local election office.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot. Remember to include the date on your ballot and return envelope. Learn more about completing and returning your mail ballot from the Pennsylvania Department of State.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Find a ballot drop off location near you.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of State's website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office : Oct 19
- Online : Oct 19
- By mail (received by) : Oct 19
Mail and absentee deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 27 by 5:00 p.m. EDT
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. EST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. EST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
If you are an active registered voter and you've voted at your polling place before, you don't need to show ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter, or if you moved within Pennsylvania and are voting for the first time at a new polling place, you must show ID to vote. You can show a photo or non-photo ID.
Photo ID cannot be expired, canceled, or revoked. Acceptable forms include:
- Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID card
- photo ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
- US passport
- US military ID
- student photo ID
- employee photo ID
Non-photo ID must include your name and address. Acceptable forms include:
- confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
- non-photo ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
- firearm permit
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or a government check
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
Learn more about what will be on your ballot by contacting your local election office or visiting their website.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Pennsylvania you must:
- be a United States citizen for at least one month before the next election
- be a resident of Pennsylvania and your election district for at least 30 days before the election
- be at least 18 years of age on the day of the next election
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA can be returned to your election official by email, fax, or mail. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email and fax. You can also learn more about the FPCA by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website for military voters, overseas voters, and federal voters.
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If after submitting your FPCA, your ballot does not arrive, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Pennsylvania. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Pennsylvania's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Pennsylvania, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Department of State oversees elections and election administration in Pennsylvania. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.