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Registered to vote in PA? You only have a few days left to apply for a mail ballot

The more than eight million registered voters in Pennsylvania have only a few days left to request a mail-in ballot in time for November’s elections.

A line of voters wrapped around the Delaware Department of Elections Warehouse near New Castle on the first day of early voting on Oct. 25, 2024. (Photo: USA Today Network)

The more than eight million registered voters in Pennsylvania have only a few days left to request a mail-in ballot in time for November’s elections.

Here’s how you can obtain a mail-in ballot for Pennsylvania’s elections.

When is the deadline to get a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania?

The deadline to obtain a Pennsylvania mail-in ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Pennsylvania’s municipal Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

How to obtain a mail-in ballot in PA

There are several ways registered voters can obtain a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania:

  • Apply for a mail-in ballot online
  • Apply for a mail-in ballot by mail: you will need to download the mail-in ballot application, which must be received by your county’s election office at least a week before the November 2 elections
  • Apply for mail-in ballot at your local county election office

You can also apply for an emergency absentee ballot under certain conditions.

“If you have an emergency — such as an unexpected illness, disability, or a last-minute absence from your municipality on Election Day — you can request an emergency absentee ballot after 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election,” read the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s website. “You can submit your emergency absentee ballot application to your county election office any time before 8 p.m. on Election Day.

“Your completed absentee ballot is due at 8 p.m. on Election Day.”

Is it too late to register to vote in PA?

It is too late to register to vote in time for Pennsylvania’s municipal elections. You can, however, still register to vote in time for Pennsylvania’s next election cycle, which will be the primary elections in May 2026.

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Patrick Berkery
Patrick Berkery Senior Newsletter Editor
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