May 4 is the deadline to register to vote in the May 19 primary in which registered voters will select Democratic and Republican candidates for governor, state and U.S. representatives and half of the state Senate.
There are multiple ways to register, including online through the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website.
Other ways entail mailing or personally delivering a completed registration form to a voter’s county election office. People unsure of where their county election office is can refer to the state’s website, which also includes contact information for the county offices.
State government agencies including the state’s Department of Transportation and county offices like area agencies on aging offer additional locations for people to register.
How to check your Pennsylvania voter registration
Voters who do not know if they are registered can check their status online. This tool also lets voters update their registration, which is required if someone moves or changes their address, changes their name or wants to change their party.
Voter eligibility, detailed by the Department of State, require U.S. citizenship and residency in Pennsylvania.
The department’s Voter Education Toolkit has information for specific people, including college students, military and civilian overseas, and first-time voters.
Important dates for the Pennsylvania primary
- May 4: Final day to register to vote
- May 12: Final day to apply for a mail ballot
- May 19: Primary. Polls are open 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- May 19, 8 p.m.: Deadline for all mail ballots to be received
Who can vote in Pennsylvania’s primary?
Because Pennsylvania has a closed primary, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party’s nominees in the primary election. However, all voters can vote on any local ballot questions that may be on their ballot.
Additionally, all registered voters in the 196th District in York County can vote in the special election for Representative in the General Assembly, which is also being held May 19.
