Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Voter Registration Requirements

You must register before you can vote in Pennsylvania.

You are eligible to vote in Pennsylvania if you meet all of the following requirements:

• You are a citizen of the United States.
• You a resident of Pennsylvania for at least 30 days before the election.
• You are at least 18 years of age on Election Day. 

You cannot register to vote in Pennsylvania if:

• You have been convicted of a felony and your civil rights have not been restored.
• You have been declared incapacitated by a court of law.

To register to vote:

• You must provide your driver’s license number or state ID number if you have one.
• If you do not have either of these IDs, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN).
• If you do not have a Social Security number, then leave that space blank on your registration form.

If don’t provide any of these numbers or the state can’t match the number your provide to official records, you will have to show an accepted form of ID the first time you vote.

• If you vote in person, present an accepted form of ID at the polls.
• If you vote by mail, provide a copy of an accepted form of ID with your ballot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Register to Vote in Pennsylvania

Submit the form below to register online. You can also complete a written application form and return it. Visit your county’s voter registration office if you want to register in person.

Don’t have a state-issued ID? VoteRiders is here to help!
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting ID. 

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. (link to voter ID rules) 

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