Every PA mail-in ballot is assigned a unique barcode at issuanceSignatures are verified against your voter registration record before countingReturning a mail-in ballot and appearing in-person triggers an automatic system flagPA county boards reconcile every ballot before certificationMail-in ballot status is trackable in real time at vote.pa.govRegistration deadline: 15 days before any electionEvery PA mail-in ballot is assigned a unique barcode at issuanceSignatures are verified against your voter registration record before countingReturning a mail-in ballot and appearing in-person triggers an automatic system flagPA county boards reconcile every ballot before certificationMail-in ballot status is trackable in real time at vote.pa.govRegistration deadline: 15 days before any election
PA
VOTE
SAFE
PA

Pennsylvania offers three ways to cast your ballot. Every one is equally valid, equally secure, and equally counted. Your complete resource for registering, requesting a mail-in ballot, and understanding how your vote is protected.

How do you want to vote?
Choose your method.
01
Election Day

In-Person Voting

Show up at your assigned polling place on election day. Polls open 7am–8pm. Bring valid PA ID or last four digits of your SSN.

Register 15 days before election day
Find your polling place →
02
Flexible

Mail-In Ballot

Any registered voter can request one — no excuse required. Vote at home, return by mail or official drop box. Barcoded, signature-verified, and trackable.

Request by 7 days before election
Request your ballot →
03
Early

Early In-Person

Vote before election day at your county election office. Face-to-face, no lines, on your schedule in the weeks leading up to the election.

Available at county office pre-election
Find your county office →
Scroll to explore
Ballot Security

How every ballot is protected.

Four independent verification steps apply to every mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania.

01

Unique barcode assigned at issue

1:1 — every ballot request generates a unique barcode tied exclusively to your voter record. That code travels with your ballot from issuance through final reconciliation.

1:1
02

Signature verified before opening

3× verified — your outer envelope signature is checked against your registration record. Ballots with missing or mismatched signatures are flagged before the inner envelope is touched.

03

Duplicate voting is system-prevented

0 duplicate votes — if a mail-in ballot has been issued to you and you appear at a polling place, the system flags it automatically. A provisional ballot may be cast, not a second counted vote.

0
04

Real-time tracking available

24/7 — Pennsylvania's ballot tracking system confirms the moment your ballot is received and accepted by your county. Available to every voter at vote.pa.gov.

24/7
Step by Step

Mail-in voting, start to finish.

Every step your ballot takes — from the moment you request it to the moment it’s counted and reconciled.

01
Request Online or by Mail

Apply at vote.pa.gov or submit a paper application to your county. A unique barcode is generated and tied to your voter record.

Apply now →
02
Ballot Mailed to You

Your county mails your ballot and logs it as sent. No one else can request or receive a ballot tied to your record.

03
Mark and Seal

Complete your ballot, seal inside the secrecy envelope, then seal that inside the signed outer envelope. Your signature on the outer envelope is required by law.

04
Return by Mail or Drop Box

Return by USPS or official county drop box. Must arrive at your county election office by 8pm on election day. Postmarks do not count.

05
Verified and Counted

Signature verified, secrecy envelope checked, ballot extracted and tabulated. Your status is updated in the tracking system at each step.

2026 Deadlines

Key dates to know.

All dates are for the 2026 Pennsylvania election cycle. Confirm exact dates at vote.pa.gov as they are officially set by the Commonwealth.

Full election calendar →
Primary
Voter Registration Deadline
15 days before primary

Must be registered at your current address.

Primary
Mail-In Request Deadline
7 days before primary

Apply online at vote.pa.gov or by paper.

Primary
Ballot Return Deadline
8pm on primary day

By mail or official county drop box.

General
Voter Registration Deadline
15 days before general

Address changes count — update if you’ve moved.

General
Mail-In Request Deadline
7 days before general

Request early — allow delivery and return time.

General
Ballot Return Deadline
8pm on general election day

Postmarks do not count. Plan accordingly.

Stay Informed

Deadline reminders. Your county.

Registration and ballot request deadlines specific to your county — sent before they pass.

Election day reminders with your polling place information.

Mail-in ballot tracking alerts when your ballot is received and accepted.

Sign Up

Timely election reminders tailored to your county and registration status. No spam.

First Name
Last Name
Sign Up for Reminders
Party Affiliation
County

Send me SMS reminders for registration cutoffs and ballot deadlines in my county.

By submitting, you agree to receive civic election reminders from VoteSafePA and affiliated civic partners. You may opt out at any time. Your information is handled in compliance with Pennsylvania law and is never sold to third parties without your explicit consent.