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Pennsylvania Voting Guide

Everything you need to know about voting in Pennsylvania (PA)

Voter Registration

Registration Deadline

15 days before Election Day

Online Registration

Available Register online

How to Register

  • Register online at vote.pa.gov
  • Mail a completed voter registration application to your county election office
  • Register in person at your county voter registration office, PennDOT driver's license centers, or other government offices

Voter ID Requirements

Requirement:ID required for first-time voters at a polling place

Accepted Forms of Identification

  • PA driver's license or PennDOT ID
  • ID issued by the U.S. government (including military ID)
  • U.S. passport
  • Student ID or employee ID with photo
  • Voter registration card
  • Firearm permit
  • Current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check with name and address

What if I don't have ID?

Only first-time voters at a new polling place need to show ID. After voting once at your assigned polling place, no ID is required for subsequent elections.

Early Voting & Absentee / Mail-In Voting

Early Voting

No traditional in-person early voting

Absentee / Mail-In

No excuse required

Pennsylvania offers no-excuse mail-in voting. Any registered voter can apply for a mail-in ballot. Applications must be received by your county election office by 5:00 PM, 7 days before the election. Completed ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day.

Election Day

Polls Open

7:00 AM

Polls Close

8:00 PM

Pennsylvania does not have traditional in-person early voting at all polling places. However, voters can apply for and cast a mail-in ballot in person at their county election office during the mail-in ballot application period.

Key Dates & Deadlines

1

October 19, 2026

Voter registration deadline

2

October 27, 2026

Last day to apply for mail-in or absentee ballot

3

November 3, 2026

Election Day — mail-in ballots must be received by 8:00 PM


Useful Links

Disclaimer

Voting rules change frequently due to new legislation, court rulings, and administrative updates. The information on this page reflects general requirements as of 2025 and is intended as an educational overview. Always verify current requirements and deadlines with your state or local election office. Key dates shown are approximate for the 2026 general election cycle.