Pennsylvania

Voter ID in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has different rules for:

Voting in Person

Voting by Mail

IDs for Voting in Person

Pennsylvania only requests ID the first time you vote in your precinct.

Be prepared with ID if you are voting for the first time, or if you moved to a new precinct since the last time you voted.

Option 1: Show an accepted ID

You can show one of these photo IDs (must be unexpired):

• Pennsylvania driver’s license
• Pennsylvania state ID card
• Photo ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
• US passport or passport card
• Student ID (high school, college, or university)
• Military identification
• Employee ID

Or a non-photo ID that has your name and address:

• Voter registration card
• Firearm permit
• Non-photo ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
• Current utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck

Voting early in Pennsylvania uses on-demand mail or absentee ballots. If you are voting early, you need to meet the ID requirements for voting by mail (see below).

Option 2: If you can’t show ID or are challenged

First time in your precinct:

If you are new to your precinct and don’t present an accepted ID, you have to cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls.

• Your county board of elections will review your provisional ballot and decide if you were eligible to vote.
• Your ballot will count if the board verifies you were eligible.

If you are challenged on your identity or residency:

You can vote a regular ballot if:

• You sign a challenge affidavit form.
• Another registered voter in your precinct serves as a witness and confirms your identity.

You have to vote a provisional ballot if you can’t or don’t want to produce a witness. Pennsylvania voters can only be challenged on the basis of their residency, identity, and eligibility to vote.

Frequently Asked Questions

IDs for Voting by Mail

Any registered Pennsylvania voter can request a mail-in ballot. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person. Pennsylvania also has absentee ballots for qualified voters. Both mail-in and absentee voters must provide an ID number or a copy of an accepted ID when requesting their ballot.

Give one of these numbers when you request your ballot:

• Pennsylvania driver’s license number
• Pennsylvania state ID card number

If you don’t have one of these numbers:

Use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

If you also don’t have a Social Security number:

• Check the box confirming that you don’t have any of the required numbers.
• Provide a copy of accepted photo ID with your request. Your ID must be unexpired. High school student IDs are not accepted for voting by mail.

Returning your ballot:

You don’t need to include ID with your completed ballot. All Pennsylvania ballots must be returned 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Voting in Person

Pennsylvania requests ID from some voters. If you can’t present an accepted ID on Election Day or are challenged at the polls, you have options: 

First Time in Precinct 

If you are new to your precinct and do not present an accepted ID, you have to cast a provisional ballot.

Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls.

Your county board of elections will review your provisional ballot and decide if you were eligible to vote.

Your ballot will count if the board verifies you were eligible.

Other Voters

Voters who are challenged on their identity or residency can vote a regular ballot if:

• You sign a challenge affidavit form.
• Another registered voter in your precinct serves as a witness and confirms your identity.

You have to vote a provisional ballot if you can’t or don’t want to produce a witness.

Pennsylvania voters can only be challenged on the basis of their residency, identity, and eligibility to vote.

Voting by Mail

Any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.

Pennsylvania also has absentee ballots for qualified voters. 

Both mail-in and absentee voters must provide an ID number or copy of an accepted ID when requesting their ballot.

Returning a Mail-in or Absentee 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.

Frequently Asked Questions