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How to register to vote in Pennsylvania

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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.

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.

Registration Top Actions

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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

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 submit voter registration forms by mail?

Use the National Voter Registration Form

  1. Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. Box 6 - ID Number: When submitting your application by mail in Pennsylvania, you are required to provide your Pennsylvania driver’s license number or PennDOT ID number if you have one. If you have not been issued a Pennsylvania ID, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, indicate that you do not have an ID number.
  3. 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.
  4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: You are requested by the Federal Voting Rights Act to fill in this box.
  5. Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
  6. Sign the form.
  7. Send the completed form to your local election office.
  8. If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes current and valid photo identification OR current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

Pennsylvania does not offer registration on Election Day.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

Can I register to vote before I turn 18?

You can register to vote in Pennsylvania before you turn 18 if you:
  • are 18 on or before Pennsylvania's next primary, special, municipal, or general election, which is on Tuesday, May 20, 2025
  • are a United States citizen for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election
  • are a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district where you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election

You must be at least 18 years old to vote.
If you have an earlier next primary, special, municipal, or general election listed for your address here, you may only be eligible to register to vote now if you will turn 18 by that date. Contact your state election official to confirm.

Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?

Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote in person on the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
You can complete a voter registration application in person at any of the following public agencies in Pennsylvania:
  • county voter registration office
  • Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) photo or driver’s license center when obtaining or updating your driver's license

You can also find a list of locations that provide voter registration services at vote.pa.gov.

Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register online on the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
To register using the Pennsylvania online voter registration system, you are required to provide your Pennsylvania driver’s license number or PennDOT ID card number. If you do not have a Pennsylvania-issued ID, you are required to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you have not been issued any of these numbers, check the box that indicates 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 or in person.

Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register to vote by mail using this form.
When submitting your application by mail in Pennsylvania, you are required to provide your Pennsylvania driver’s license number or PennDOT ID card number. If you do not have a Pennsylvania-issued ID, you are required to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you have not been issued any of these numbers, indicate that you do not have an ID number.

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.
  1. 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.
  2. Send the application to your local election office.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. 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.

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.

How do I contact my state election office?