The leaders we elect to represent us — from the White House to the State Legislature to City Council — hold tremendous power over important issues that uphold our democracy and affect our lives.

Fortunately, voting has never been more convenient and secure in Pennsylvania, where voters now have several ways to cast a ballot. Understanding all of your options is key to being able to participate and make your voice heard!

Here are some key dates and deadlines for the upcoming General Election:

October 21 – Deadline to register to vote in the General Election

• First things first, check your registration status here. 
• If you need to register or update your status because you’ve moved or changed your name since the last election you voted in, you can do that online here.

October 29 – Deadline to request a mail-in ballot or vote early in-person in the Primary Election

• Apply for a mail-in ballot online here.
• Find an early in-person voting location here.

November 5 – Pennsylvania Primary Election and deadline for mail-in ballots to be received by your county election office

• If you’re voting in person, find your polling place here.
• If you voted by mail, you can track the status of your ballot here.
• If you still need to return your ballot, take it to a secure drop box or your County Board of Elections office (Philadelphia’s office is at 142 City Hall, 1400 JFK Blvd).

How to vote by mail:

• Any eligible PA voter can sign up to vote by mail online. Voters should request their mail-in ballot well in advance of the deadline to make sure they have time to receive their secure ballot and return it in time. 
  • Voters will need to be registered and use either their PA driver’s license number or their social security number to sign up on the state website.
• Once you receive your ballot in the mail, read the instructions and make your candidate selections carefully. Be sure to complete the front and back of each page.
• Put your ballot in the smaller secrecy envelope and seal it. This is the envelope that only says “Official Election Ballot.”
• Put the smaller secrecy envelope in the larger ballot-return envelope. This is the envelope with space for your address on the front and the Voter’s Declaration.
• Complete the entire Voter’s Declaration on the ballot-return envelope. Make sure to sign, date, and seal it.
• Return your completed ballot by mail or dropbox.
  • By mail — You should do this as soon as possible to make sure your ballot is received and counted on Election Day. No postage necessary.
  • In person — Drop off at a secure drop box, your County Board of Elections office, or a satellite voting location.
• After you return your ballot, you can track its status here.

How to vote on Election Day:

• Voters should check their polling place as locations may have changed.
• Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you happen to be in line when the polls close, you’re still entitled to vote as you are in line by 8 p.m.
• If have a mail-in or absentee ballot and want to vote in person instead of returning it, you have two options:
  • Bring your ballot and the pre-addressed outer return envelope to your polling place to be voided. After you surrender your ballot and envelope and sign a declaration, you can then vote a regular ballot.
  • If you don't surrender your ballot and its return envelope, you can only vote by provisional ballot at your polling place. Your county election board will then verify that you did not vote by mail before counting your provisional ballot.
• Call 1-877-VOTESPA if you’re experiencing issues.