Pennsylvania Voting Guide

• An individual 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 the...
• 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/her municipality of residence during the entire period in which the polling...
• 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...
• A member of a religious or welfare group attached to and serving with the armed forces, and their spouse and dependents residing with or accompanying him or her, who expect on Election Day to be absent from the Commonwealth or the...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...

Absentee Voting Eligibility

To obtain an absentee ballot application

• Ensure you are registered to vote. If you're unsure, confirm your registration.
• Download and print an Absentee Ballot Application (PDF) and send it to your County Election Office.
• A qualified absentee voter may apply for an absentee ballot either thro​ugh 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...

Request an absentee ballot

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 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.

• 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.

Emergency Absentee Ballots

• 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.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Pennsylvania state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

• If you’re a student in Pennsylvania who has moved to a new county or a new state to attend college, you can still vote. As a college student, you have two choices on where you register to vote. You have the right to register and vote where...
• Voting is easy. As long as you are registered, you will be able to vote on Election Day. You’ll want to make sure to:
• Know the location of your polling place
• Familiarize yourself with the voting system at your polling place by viewing the voting system demonstration
• Can’t make it to the polls on Election Day? Learn about when and how to use absentee and alternative ballots.
• In Pennsylvania, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The busiest times of day to vote are before and after normal working hours. If you can, try going at less-busy times. If you are in line by the time the polls close, you must be allowed...

• If you have recently moved, keep the following guidelines in mind:
• If you moved from the residence where you are registered to vote to another Pennsylvania residence less than 30 days before an election, you must vote at your former residence. When you arrive to vote, tell the local Election Official of...
• After the election, but at least 30 days prior to the next election, change your voter registration by submitting a new Voter Registration Application form. Simply select the box that says 'Change of Address'.
• If you have moved more than 30 days before an election but did not change your address with Voter Registration Officials, you must vote at the polling place of your old residence, where you are registered to vote. However, you may only vote...
• If you have moved within the same county, inform the Election Officials at the polling place that you have moved and would like to change your registration by filling out an affirmation that states your new address.
• You will be permitted to vote at the old polling place based on your previous residence, but the County Voter Registration Commission will update its records after the election.
• You will receive a new voter certification card in the mail that will show your new address and polling place.
• You will not be able to vote again at your old polling place (unless, of course, it also serves your new residence).

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