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Voting by Absentee or Mail-in Ballot

June 2

Mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by the county election office by 8 pm, June 2.


County drop boxes and drop-off locations


Contact your county election office


Voting in-person information

UPDATE: Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order extending the deadline for county election offices in Allegheny, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties to receive absentee or mail-in ballots by mail until 5 p.m. June 9, 2020. The ballot must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, June 2, 2020. The deadline to hand deliver absentee or mail-in ballots remains 8 p.m. June 2, 2020. All other counties must receive mail-in or absentee ballots before 8 p.m. June 2, 2020.
Read more about Governor Wolf's Executive Order


On March 27, Governor Wolf signed Senate Bill 422, which reschedules Pennsylvania’s primary election from April 28 to June 2 due to the COVID-19 emergency. Voters have the option to vote by mail-in ballot rather than going to their polling place on election day. Mail-in ballot applications will be accepted through Tuesday, May 26, 2020. If a voter has already applied for an absentee or mail-in ballot, they do NOT need to reapply.

Visite recursos en español para una lista de materiales en español, incluyendo una guía para la solicitud en línea de la papeleta de voto por correo.


What are mail ballots?

In Pennsylvania, you now have two options for mail ballots. You may either choose a mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot to request, complete, and return to your county election office.

  • Absentee ballot – If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you should request this ballot type, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot.
  • Mail-in ballot – Any qualified voter may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason.

In order to request either ballot type, you must be registered to vote. Please visit Check Your Registration Status to review your registration information


Which ballot should I use?

Absentee Ballot

Who may apply for an absentee ballot application?

  • College students who are not registered to vote at their school address
  • People whose work or vacation take them away from the municipality where they live
  • Those with a physical disability or illness that prevents them from going to the polling place
  • Members of the military
  • People who may have a conflict due to the celebration of a religious holiday
  • Inmates who haven't been convicted of a felony
  • To vote by absentee ballot you must be registered to vote.

More about Absentee Ballots

Mail-in Ballot

Who may apply for a mail-in ballot application?

You may apply for a Mail-in Ballot if you are a qualified voter. You must be registered to vote in order to vote by mail-in ballot.

More about Mail-in Ballots


Voting by Mail-in Ballot

Deadlines for the June 2 Primary Election:

  • 5 pm May 26 - APPLICATIONS must be RECEIVED by your county election office
  • 8 pm June 2 - VOTED BALLOTS must be RECEIVED by your county election office - postmarks are not enough

Applications and ballots may be delivered to your county election office by the deadline. Contact your county election office for their hours of operation.


How do I apply for a mail-in ballot?

Option 1: Apply for a Mail-in Ballot Online

computer with text reading Register

Apply Online at VotesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot

Registered voters can apply for a mail-in ballot online with a valid PA driver's license or photo I.D. from the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Military and overseas voters should visit the information for military and overseas voters web page for information on how they can obtain an absentee ballot.

Apply for a mail-in ballot

Option 2: Apply for a Mail-in Ballot by mail

paper and pencil

Step 1: Complete a paper mail-in ballot application:

Download and print a mail-in ballot application:


  • You can contact your county election office directly to request a paper application. 
  • Or you can contact the Department of State to request an application by emailing ra-voterreg@pa.gov or calling 1-877-VOTESPA.


envelope with a piece of paper sticking out and a checkmark

Step 2: Mail your application:

Send your mail-in ballot application to the county election office. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is one week before the election. 

Military and overseas voters should visit the information for military and overseas voters web page for information on how they can obtain an absentee ballot.

Other ways to request a mail-in ballot

office building

If your application is accepted, you will get a mail-in ballot with instructions from your county election office.

Already applied for a mail-in ballot?

PA voters can see the status of their mail-in or absentee ballot online. Track your ballot's progress from when your county receives your application, to when they receive your voted ballot.

Track the Status of Your Mail-in or Absentee Ballot

animated step 1 thru 4 of the tracker

What’s an annual mail-in ballot request?

long list with a pencil

You now have the option to request to be added to an annual mail-in ballot request list where you’ll receive an application to renew your mail-in ballot request each year. Once your application is approved, you will automatically receive ballots for the remainder of the year, and you do not need to submit an application for each election.

Apply online for a mail-in ballot

Download and print a mail-in ballot application:



How do I vote with a mail-in ballot?

hand marking votes on a paper ballot
1. Mark your ballot, following the instructions.

hand signing the return envelope next an X
2. Place your ballot in the secrecy envelope and then put the secrecy envelope into the official envelope. Be sure to sign the declaration, or your ballot may not count.

stamped envelope being put into a USPS mailbox
3. Return your ballot so it arrives at the county election office on time.




Voting by Absentee Ballot

Deadlines for the June 2 Primary Election:

  • 5 pm May 26 - APPLICATIONS must be RECEIVED by your county election office
  • 8 pm June 2 - VOTED BALLOTS must be RECEIVED by your county election office - postmarks are not enough

Applications and ballots may be delivered to your county election office by the deadline. Contact your county election office for their hours of operation.

If you have an emergency you may still be able to get an absentee ballot after the deadline, called an emergency absentee ballot. You can find information about how to get an emergency absentee ballot at the end of this page.

An absentee ballot is a ballot sent to you by mail. You can mark and cast the ballot by returning it to the county election office.


How do I apply for an absentee ballot?

Option 1: Apply for an Absentee Ballot Online

computer with text reading Register

Apply Online VotesPA.com/ApplyAbsentee

Registered voters can apply for an absentee ballot online with a valid PA driver's license or photo I.D. from the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Military and overseas voters should visit the information for military and overseas voters web page for information on how they can obtain an absentee ballot.

Apply for an absentee ballot

Option 2: Apply for an Absentee Ballot by mail

paper and pencil

Step 1: Complete a paper absentee ballot application:

Download and print an absentee ballot application:


  • You can contact your county election office directly to request a paper application. 
  • Or you can contact the Department of State to request an application by emailing ra-voterreg@pa.gov or calling 1-877-VOTESPA.

Fill in the paper absentee ballot application. Mark the reason why you cannot get to the polling place on election day. In Pennsylvania, you must meet one of the listed reasons.

envelope with a piece of paper sticking out and a checkmark

Step 2: Mail your application:

Send your absentee ballot application to the county election office. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is one week before the election. Members of the military can apply at any time.

Other ways to request an absentee ballot

office building

If your application is accepted, you will get an absentee ballot with instructions from your county election office.

Already applied for an absentee ballot?

PA voters can see the status of their mail-in or absentee ballot online. Track your ballot's progress from when your county receives your application, to when they receive your voted ballot.

Track the Status of Your Mail-in or Absentee Ballot

animated step 1 thru 4 of the tracker

What’s an annual absentee ballot request?

long list with a pencil

You now have the option to request to be added to an annual absentee ballot request list where you’ll receive an application to renew your absentee ballot request each year. This only applies if you have a permanent disability or illness when applying for this option when submitting an absentee ballot application. Once your application is approved, you will automatically receive ballots for the remainder of the year, and you do not need to submit an application for each election.


How do I vote with an absentee ballot?

hand marking votes on a paper ballot
1. Mark your ballot, following the instructions.

hand signing the return envelope next an X
2. Place your ballot in the secrecy envelope and then put the secrecy envelope into the official envelope. Be sure to sign the declaration, or your ballot may not count.

stamped envelope being put into a USPS mailbox
3. Return your ballot so it arrives at the county election office on time.


Emergency Absentee Ballot

Last Minute Emergencies

In emergency situations (such as an unexpected illness or disability and last-minute absence) following the deadline at 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election, you can request an Emergency Absentee Ballot.

The deadline to submit your Emergency Absentee Ballot Application to the County Election Office is 8:00 pm on election day.




Requirements and Frequently Asked Questions

 Accordion
Expand AllClick here for a more accessible version
What is the deadline to return my voted mail ballot?

What is the deadline to return my voted mail ballot?

The deadline to return your voted mail-in or absentee ballot is 8 p.m. on election day. If you are unable to return your ballot by the deadline either in person or mail, you may only vote by a provisional ballot at your polling place.

Who can vote with an absentee ballot?

Who can vote with an absentee ballot?

Registered voters who expect to be away from their home in Pennsylvania for the entire time polling places are open on election day can vote by absentee ballot.

The following people may vote by absentee ballot if they are registered to vote:

  • A person with an illness or physical disability who is unable to go to the polling place or to operate a voting machine and obtain assistance by distinct and audible statements. (Note: A voter with a disability may have permanent absentee voter status.)
  • A person who will not go to a polling place on election day because of the observance of a religious holiday.
  • A spouse or dependent residing with or accompanying a person in the military service of the United States.
  • A member of the Merchant Marine and their spouse and dependents residing with or accompanying them.
  • A member of a religious or welfare group attached to and serving with the armed forces and their spouse and dependents residing with or accompanying them.
  • A spouse or dependent accompanying a person employed by the Commonwealth or the federal government, whose duties, occupation or business on election day require them to be away from the Commonwealth or their municipality of residence.
  • An individual, and their spouse and dependents residing with or accompanying them, with duties, occupation or business (including leaves of absence for teaching, vacations and sabbatical leaves) away from their official residence on election day.
  • A county employee who expects that their election day duties relating to the conduct of the election will prevent them from voting.

You may be able to vote with an absentee ballot even if you did not register to vote before an election.

This includes:

    • A person who is or may be in the military service of the United States. They can be in Pennsylvania on election day or not. Voters in the military do not have to register before election day.
    • A  qualified war veteran who is bedridden or hospitalized due to illness or physical disability if they are absent from the municipality where they live and unable to attend his/her polling place because of such illness or disability.






ID for Mail-in and Absentee Ballots

ID for Mail-in and Absentee Ballots

When you apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot:

    • You must provide a driver’s license number if you have one, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number.
    • If you do not have a driver’s license or Social Security Number, you must submit a copy of an acceptable photo ID.
    • You may provide this information to your County Board of Elections over the phone, by email, or mail.


The County Election Office will verify your identification before your ballot counts. If there is a problem, you have 6 days after an election to provide the necessary identification.

Some voters are exempt from these requirements, including:

    • UOCAVA Voters
    • Voters with a Disability
    • Voters over 65 Years Old and Affected by the Voting Accessibility for Elderly and Handicapped Act


 Content Editor

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