Voting by Mail in Pennsylvania

Any registered Pennsylvania voter can choose to vote by mail in any election.

The deadline to apply to vote by mail in the general election is October 29, 2024.

You’ve got options.

• Apply for a ballot online, using VOTE.pa.
• Mail in or pick up your application to your county’s elections office . Find your county election office.

Your ballot must be RECEIVED by your county’s election office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. To ensure your ballot is received by the deadline, return it as soon as possible.

1. Read all the instructions carefully and mark your ballot using a blue or black pen. Be sure to complete the front and back of each page.
2. Seal your ballot in the smaller, inner secrecy envelope that indicates “official election ballot.” Do not make any marks on this envelope.
3. Seal the inner secrecy envelope in the larger, pre-addressed outer return envelope. Sign and date the voter’s declaration on the outside of the outer return envelope.
4. Return your ballot via USPS ASAP or hand deliver it to your county’s designated drop-off location.

If you’re voting by mail, you MUST use both envelopes when returning your ballot. Put your completed ballot in the small envelope, then put the small envelope  inside the larger envelope. Sign and date the outer envelope, seal it, and return it via USPS or your county’s designated drop-off location.

Yes, you can track your ballot using vote.pa/track. Due to high volume, it may take a few days for your ballot to be processed. If you don’t see an updated status within 4-5 days of dropping off your ballot, or if you believe your ballot was lost, contact your county election office.

Mail ballots allow you to vote from the comfort of your home or in-person at your county board of elections office or any other designated location before Election Day.

Both absentee and mail-in ballots are considered mail ballots. The main difference is between the two is:

• Absentee ballot: you need to provide a valid reason to vote by mail.
• Mail-in ballot: you don’t need to provide a reason.

If you requested your mail ballot and have not received it within 14 business days of that request, contact your county election office for further assistance.

**If you are less than one week out from Election Day and have not received your mail-in ballot, call your country elections office immediately as you may need to vote provisionally in-person at your polling place.**

If there is anything wrong with your ballot, including a missing secrecy envelope, contact your county election office as soon as possible so they can send you a replacement or provide other guidance on casting your ballot.