Pennsylvania

Voting by Absentee Ballot

Pennsylvania has two options for voting by mail. Registered voters with a physical disability or illness can apply for an absentee ballot.

If you don’t qualify for an absentee ballot, you can apply for a mail-in ballot. You don’t have to give a reason for not voting in person.

Voters with disabilities may also be able to become permanent absentee voters.

Requesting Your Ballot

You can request both types of ballots online, by mail, or in person at your county’s board of election office. If you are applying for an absentee ballot because a disability or illness, you will need to give information about your medical provider.

After applying for their ballots, voters with disabilities can request to use a remote accessible ballot. This ballot allows you to mark your absentee or mail ballot electronically.

Application Info

You need to provide one of the following with your ballot request:

1. Pennsylvania Driver’s License or PennDOT Photo ID Number
2. Last 4 Digits of Your Social Security Number

If you don’t have either of these, choose the option that says, “I do not have a PA driver’s license or a PennDOT ID card or a Social Security number” in the Identification section. Voters who select this option need to include a copy of acceptable photo ID with their application.

Exceptions

Returning Your Ballot

You don’t need to include ID with your completed ballot.

All types of Pennsylvania ballots must be sent back using two envelopes – an outer “mailing” envelope and an inner “privacy” or “secrecy” envelope. If you don’t use both envelopes, your vote won’t be counted.

Pennsylvania  does not allow you to return your ballot electronically.

Voting in Person

Pennsylvania asks you to show ID the first time you are voting in your precinct.