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May 16
Pennsylvania Primary Election

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This election guide is researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a non-partisan 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization, to inform voters via TurboVote and other partners. The information in these guides originates from official sources. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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This election has passed.


If you voted, check your ballot status.

What key changes should voters know about?

Due to a court order on November 1, mail ballots with undated or incorrectly dated outer envelopes will be segregated. Voters must date their mail ballot outer return envelopes in the correct location.

Learn more by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of State's website or contacting your local election office.

How do I vote in person?

Where can I vote on Election Day?

You can look up where to vote on Pennsylvania's site.

Can I vote early?

  • Yes, you can cast a mail ballot in-person in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the in-person mail ballot voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Voting early at your local election office or other designated location may be less crowded, as well.
  • Learn more about early in-person mail-in voting in Pennsylvania.
  • Early voting is available at your local election office or other designated locations. Check Pennsylvania’s site to find where to cast your in-person mail ballot or contact your local election office to find where to cast your in-person mail ballot.

What do I need to bring?

If you've voted at your polling place before, you don't need to show ID to vote.

If you're a first-time voter, or if you moved within Pennsylvania and are voting for the first time at a new polling place, you must show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
  • Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID card
  • ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
  • US passport
  • US military ID
  • student ID
  • employee ID
  • confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
  • non-photo ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
  • firearm permit
  • copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or a government check that includes your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.

Can I register to vote online?

  • Pennsylvania offers online voter registration.
  • You should know: If you have a Pennsylvania ID, you can complete the voter registration process online. Your signature on file at PennDOT will be sent to your county voter registration office and become part of your voter record. If you do not provide a PennDOT number or if PennDOT cannot verify the information you enter on the form, you can upload a digital image of your signature to submit with the voter registration application form. If you don't have a Pennsylvania ID, and are unable to upload a signature, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Use the National Voter Registration Form

  1. Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. Box 6 - ID Number: When submitting your application by mail in Pennsylvania, you are required to provide your PennDOT ID number if you have one. If you have not been issued a Pennsylvania ID, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, write “NONE” in the identification number box.
  3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: Pennsylvania requires that you register with a party to participate in partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in.
  4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: You are requested by the Federal Voting Rights Act to fill in this box.
  5. Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
  6. Sign the form.
  7. Send the completed form to your local election office
  8. If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes: current and valid photo identification or current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address.
    • More information here.

How do I vote by mail?

Key Changes

Due to a court ruling on November 1, mail ballots with undated or incorrectly dated outer envelopes will not be counted. Voters must date their mail ballot outer return envelopes in the correct location. (Learn more by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of State's website or contacting your local election office.)

How do I vote by mail?

In Pennsylvania, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail. Fill out the mail ballot application and mail or return it in person to your local election office.

What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?

If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.

How do I return my ballot?

What do I need to do if I’ve moved?

What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.

How can I check the status of my ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on Pennsylvania’s site.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

Pennsylvania does not offer registration on Election Day.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

What are key deadlines for this election?

Registration deadlines

Mail and absentee deadlines

Voting deadlines

Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?

If you've voted at your polling place before, you don't need to show ID to vote.

If you're a first-time voter, or if you moved within Pennsylvania and are voting for the first time at a new polling place, you must show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
  • Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID card
  • ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
  • US passport
  • US military ID
  • student ID
  • employee ID
  • confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
  • non-photo ID issued by Pennsylvania or the US government
  • firearm permit
  • copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or a government check that includes your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.

How do I get help registering to vote?

TurboVote can help you start the absentee/mail-in ballot request process, send you election reminders, and more. If you’d like more help planning how to vote, we can walk you through the process!

Who can register to vote?

To register in Pennsylvania you must:
  • be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next election
  • be a resident of Pennsylvania and your election district for at least 30 days before the election
  • be at least 18 years of age on the day of the next election

How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
  1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
  2. Send the application to your local election office.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If after submitting your FPCA, your ballot does not arrive, contact your local election office first. Then:
  • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
  • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Pennsylvania. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Pennsylvania's voter registration lookup tool.

How do I contact my state election office?

Which election office should I contact?

  • In Pennsylvania, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
  • The Department of State oversees elections and election administration in Pennsylvania. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.

How do I contact my local election office?

Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.