The first-timer’s guide to voting in 2024

Voting for the first time? Find out what you need to know to ensure your voice is heard in Pennsylvania on Election Day.

If this Election Day will mark your first time voting, congratulations. You’re participating in a fundamental building block of our democracy. 

Exercising your right to vote is about more than choosing who represents you in Washington, Harrisburg, and your local community. Your vote is a reflection of yourself. How you wish to be governed, what you believe in, and what kind of society you wish to live in. 

As civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King once said, “Voting is the foundation stone for political action.” 

Here’s what you should know before heading to the polls for the first time this Election Day, Nov. 5: 

First things first: Register to vote!

You can’t vote if you’re not registered. Most Pennsylvanians can register to vote. To be eligible, a person must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before Election Day, which falls on Nov. 5 this year. 
• Be a resident of a Pennsylvania election district for at least 30 days before Election Day.
• Be at least 18 years of age or older on Election Day.
• Currently not serving a prison sentence for any felony convictions (voting rights are restored immediately upon release).
• Not found guilty of violating any provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code within the last four years.

If you meet those requirements, you must register to vote by Oct. 21. You can register online, by mail, or in person at your county board of elections office. We’ve got more details on how to register to vote in Pennsylvania here.

What you should do to prepare

Make a plan to vote either by mail (we’ve got details on how to vote by mail here) or in person. You can find your local polling place here.

You should review the candidates and measures on the ballot and plan your votes in advance. You can find a sample ballot on your county election office website.

It also wouldn’t hurt to learn about the voting system in your county and see a demo of how it works.

Very important: As a first-time voter, you must bring a photo or non-photo ID. Approved forms of photo identification include:

• Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card
• ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
• ID issued by the U.S. Government
• U.S. passport
• U.S. Armed Forces ID
• Student ID
• Employee ID

If you do not have a photo ID, you can use a non-photo identification that includes your name and address, including: 

• Confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
• Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
• Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
• Firearm permit
• Current utility bill
• Current bank statement
• Current paycheck
• Government check

What you need to know about the polling place

In Pennsylvania, polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The busiest times of day to vote are in the morning and evening. If you can, try going during less busy times.

If you have any questions, ask a poll worker. They are there to help!

If you are in line at or before 8 p.m., you will be allowed to cast your vote.

What to do if there is a problem

If you need assistance voting, cannot use the voting system, or can’t travel to a polling place because of a disability, Pennsylvania offers accessible voting options. Learn about them here.

If your name is not in the voter roster at your polling place and you believe you registered to vote in your precinct, you may have the right to vote on a provisional ballot. Your vote will count if election officials determine that you are eligible to vote.

Are you ready to vote? Make sure to check your voter registration status, see who’s on your ballot, and make a voting plan here.