Pennsylvania

1 Check ID Rules

Voting in Person

Pennsylvania 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.

Accepted IDs

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 US government
US passport or passport card
Student ID (high school, college, or university)
Military identification
Employee ID

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

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

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

Voting by Mail

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

Requesting an Absentee Ballot

Give one of these numbers when you request your ballot:

Pennsylvania driver’s license number
Pennsylvania state ID card number

If you do not have one of these numbers, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

If you also do not 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Pennsylvania?

If you are challenged at the polls due to ID or residency, you have options.

Learn more here!

Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Pennsylvania?

You must present a physical ID to vote in Pennsylvania. You cannot use an image, copy, or digital ID when you are voting in person.

Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Pennsylvania?

You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Pennsylvania.

REAL ID is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.

Applying for a REAL ID requires you to appear in person with a variety of documents to prove your identity.

Visit the PennDot website to find out exactly what is required to get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card.

2 Register

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

Can I register and vote on the same day in Pennsylvania?

No, Pennsylvania does not allow you to register and vote on the same day.

Pennsylvania’s deadline to register for an upcoming election is 15 days before Election Day.

If the registration deadline for an upcoming election has passed, you can still apply to register. Your registration will be processed, and you will be registered to vote in future elections.

Can I register to vote in Pennsylvania if I have been convicted of a crime?

Each state has its own laws about whether citizens with previous criminal convictions can vote.

To check your eligibility to register to vote in Pennsylvania, use Restore Your Vote.

Can I register to vote in Pennsylvania if I attend college in Pennsylvania?

College students are allowed to vote using their Pennsylvania school residence address. You can decide if you prefer to register in your home state or in Pennsylvania if you attend school there. You may only be registered and vote in one location.

You can use a student photo ID if it meets Pennsylvania’s voter ID requirements.

3 Vote

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

Can I fix my Pennsylvania mail ballot if it is rejected?

Your options for curing your mail or absentee ballot depends on the county where you are voting. Each county has its own procedure for notifying (or not notifying) voters and correcting ballots.

For specific information about your county, check the ACLU of Pennsylvania’s website.

The county board of elections cannot reject your ballot solely due to signature comparisons

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1 Check ID Rules

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Pennsylvania Voter Registration Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

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Voting in Person

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Frequently Asked Questions