What you need to know if you’re voting by mail in Pennsylvania

Tips on what to do — and what not to do — with your mail-in ballot.

Voting by mail is safe, secure, and easy. And in Pennsylvania, any qualified voter may apply for a mail-in ballot. You don’t need a reason, as a result of Act 77 passed in 2019.

You can apply for your mail-in ballot online through the Pennsylvania 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. 

Counties don’t have to start sending out mail-in ballots until Oct. 22, but most start as soon as ballots are ready to go — usually early in October.

However you choose to apply, your application must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 to be eligible to cast your mail-in ballot in the 2024 election. And your completed ballot must be received by your county election board office by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. 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. 

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. 

Now that you know how to apply for a mail-in ballot, and how to return it, here are some important things to know about voting by mail in Pennsylvania:

DO use both of the envelopes provided with your mail-in ballot. Both of these envelopes must be used in order for your vote to count. The smaller secrecy envelope is intended to protect the anonymity of your vote. After you fill out your ballot, you must place it in the secrecy envelope and seal it. The second, larger envelope is the mailing and declaration envelope. You must use it, even if you are dropping your ballot off in person. Place your secrecy envelope (with your ballot inside) into the mailing and declaration envelope. You must seal it and sign and date the declaration before you can return your ballot. 

DON’T make any marks on the secrecy envelope, and don’t forget to seal it. If you fail to place and seal your ballot in this envelope or if you make marks on this envelope, your ballot will not be counted.

DO return your mail-in ballot as soon as possible. During the 2020 primary, tens of thousands of ballots were received late, which delayed declaring the results in a number of races a week later. 

DON’T attempt to drop a completed mail-in ballot off at your polling place. Ballots requested by mail will not be accepted. If you received a mail ballot but did not complete it, you may surrender your incomplete mail ballot, along with both envelopes, at your polling place and vote in person.

DO seek assistance completing your mail-in or absentee ballot if you need help due to a disability or because you have limited English proficiency. If a voter is unable to complete their mail-in ballot independently, they may receive assistance from a person they choose.

DON’T have someone else drop off your mail-in ballot at the county election board office. The person who submitted the ballot request must be the person who turns in the completed ballot submission at the county office. However, if you have a disability that prevents you from applying in person for your mail ballot or delivering your mail ballot, you may designate an agent to deliver your ballot materials for you. You must designate the agent in writing using this form or a form provided by your county.

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.