If President Donald Trump’s efforts to restrict mail voting have left you wondering if Pennsylvania’s rules will change ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, the state’s top elections official has a message: It’s business as usual.
Trump’s latest attempt to restrict mail voting was shot down by the United States Supreme Court two weeks ago.
“Eligible Pennsylvanians who choose to vote by mail should have confidence that they can continue to do so safely and securely,” said Secretary of State Al Schmidt, shortly after the Supreme Court denied Trump’s attempt to enact new United States Postal Service rules to limit mail voting.
Schmidt also addressed Trump’s repeated efforts to cast doubt on the integrity of Pennsylvania’s elections.
“Having been a county election commissioner for 10 years, I know first hand how much preparation goes into every election, no matter what cycle or what’s going on in the political world outside of election administration. I’m confident that eligible voters in Pa. can and should approach this election like they always do, which means voting by whichever method works best for them,” Schmidt said.
Voting by mail is underway in Pennsylvania
Mail ballots have already been sent to voters who requested them in 19 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, and more than 20,000 have already been returned, according to the Department of State.
Counties have until Oct. 20 this year to start sending out mail ballots, though most usually send them to voters no later than early October. You can check the Department of State’s website to see if ballots have gone out yet in your county.
Nearly 1 million Pennsylvanians have applied for mail-in ballots ahead of this year’s election, and Schmidt said about 95% of those applications have already been approved.
How to apply for a mail-in ballot
You can apply for your mail-in ballot through the Department of State website. You can also print and complete an application form from this page, then mail the completed application to your county election board office or drop it off at the office in person. Find your local office using this tool.
However you choose to apply, your application must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27 to be eligible to cast your mail-in ballot in the 2026 election. And your completed ballot must be received by your county election board office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. A postmark by 8 p.m. Nov. 3 is not sufficient. You can mail it in, drop it off in person at the county election board office or, if they’re available in your county, a designated drop box.
How do I know if my mail ballot has been counted?
To be sure your ballot was accepted and counted, you can track your ballot’s status online through PA Voter Services. If you provided your email address to your county election office at the time you registered to vote or applied for a ballot, you will receive an email notification when your returned ballot is recorded.
On-demand voting is also available
While Pennsylvania does not offer early, in-person voting at polling places, on-demand voting is available, where registered voters can apply for, complete, and submit their mail ballot all in one visit at their county elections office. Check the Department of State’s website to see if it’s currently available in your county.
