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Can I vote by mail in Pennsylvania?
Election Day is Tue, Nov 3, 54 days away.
Pennsylvania
Yes. Anyone can request a mail ballot.
No-excuse absentee
Any registered voter can request a mail (absentee) ballot, no reason needed. There's a deadline, so request early.
39 daysVoter registration: Mon, Oct 19
Check whether I'm registered →47 daysMail request must be received: Tue, Oct 27, 5 p.m.
54 daysElection Day: Tue, Nov 3
Mail it by Tue, Oct 27USPS says allow 7 days. Your ballot must be postmarked by Tue, Nov 3; mailing earlier avoids a late postmark. Or use a drop box.
Returning it: Received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks don't count.
Add these dates to my calendar- Request your ballot now. Don't wait for the deadline.
- Confirm your registration and mailing address while you're at it.
- When it arrives, fill it out in blue or black ink and sign the envelope.
- Return it by drop box or in person if you can. Mail it at least a week early if not.
- Track it on your state's tracker until it shows received.
Early in-person voting
Tue, Oct 20 through Tue, Oct 27 (starts in 40 days). Locations and hours
If your ballot gets flagged
Curing is county by county, not statewide. Call your county election office if you're notified of a problem.
Military, overseas, student, disability, just moved, past conviction
- Military or overseas. You're covered by federal law (UOCAVA), which usually gives you longer deadlines and electronic delivery. Use the Federal Post Card Application to register and request a ballot in one step. If your ballot doesn't arrive, the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot is your backup. FVAP.gov
- College student. You can register at your school address or your family's, not both. If you're registered back home and away at school, request a mail ballot from home early; campus mail is slow. Some states require a specific reason for students to vote absentee, so check your state's rule above. Student voter guide
- Disability or need help marking a ballot. Every state must offer an accessible way to vote. Most have an accessible mail-ballot option you can mark on a screen reader or your own device, and all allow a person of your choice (not your employer or union rep) to assist. Ask your county election office for the accessible absentee ballot. EAC: voters with disabilities
- Moved recently. Your registration is tied to your address. If you moved within your state, update it before the registration deadline; if you've moved across state lines, register in the new state. Moved after the deadline? Many states let you vote at your old precinct one last time or update in person; call your county. vote.gov
- Past felony conviction. Rules vary widely: some states restore rights automatically on release, others after probation or parole, a few require a separate process. Don't assume you can't vote. Check your state before the registration deadline. NCSL: restoration of voting rights
Why ballots get rejected in Pennsylvania, and how to avoid it
- Sign the envelope. An unsigned envelope is the most common fixable mistake.
- Use the secrecy sleeve if one is included, then the return envelope. Don't tape anything.
- Keep the phone and email on your registration current. If there's a problem, that's how they reach you to fix it.
Trouble voting? Free, nonpartisan hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE · 888-VE-Y-VOTA · 888-API-VOTE · 844-YALLA-US
Rule checked 2026-09-09. Deadlines checked 2026-09-09. Request deadlines are "received by," not postmarked. The official site wins if anything differs.
Changes on official pages
Pennsylvania in the news
Yesterday
- Pennsylvania mail-voting rules unchanged ahead of general electionPennsylvaniaWGAL · 4 h
Earlier
- A Pennsylvania attorney may soon face consequences for his actions in 2020 election lawsuitPennsylvaniavotebeat.org · 2 d