Below are links to the topics of the Pennsylvania Voting Facts and Myths website to learn more about voting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania.
This page describes how Pennsylvania residents are able to vote and where to find the official information. Also found on this page are links to the Pennsylvania Department of State and the official election information published by the office.
What does the Department of State do?
As is true in most states, The Department of State of Pennsylvania regulates, enforces, and oversees:
The Pennsylvania Department of State's Mission Statement as it reads on their 'About Us' page of their official website:
Under the leadership of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Department of State promotes the integrity of the electoral process, provides the initial infrastructure for economic development through corporate organizations and transactions, and protects the health and safety of the public. The Department encourages the highest standards of ethics and competence in elections, campaign finance, lobbying disclosure, notarization, professional and occupational licensure, charitable solicitation, and the sports of boxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts. By employing the latest technology, the agency delivers exceptional public service remaining a leader in regulatory and enforcement policies and practices aimed at protecting every resident of the Commonwealth.
The Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth is Veronica Degraffenreid, who was appointed on February 8, 2021.
Brief information and official website links for Pennsylvania's top state government officials can be found on the 'PA's Top Officials' section of this guide.
Below is options from the Pennsylvania Voter Registration website that users can select from to learn about how they register to vote and all requirements.
Pennsylvania Voter Registration Requirements
Pennsylvania Annual Mail-In Ballot Request
County election officials maintain annual mail-in and absentee voter lists. If you are an annual mail-in or absentee voter, you automatically receive a renewal application every year by the first Monday in February. If you are an annual mail-in or absentee voter, your county will send you a renewal application every year by the first Monday in February. This includes ballots for any primary election, special election, general election, and the municipal election in which you are eligible to vote.*
*Taken directly from the PA Votes - Annual Mail-In and Absentee Voter List website
The following are noteworthy excerpts from the Pennsylvania Myths and Facts About Voting FAQ page. Questions and answers are taken verbatim from the Pennsylvania Voting FAQs website. See the published website for their full list of voting frequently asked questions.
Where can I find my nearest Ballot Dropbox?
You can find the location of your county election office here. You can also drop off your ballot at a satellite office, which you can find here.
How do I vote by mail?
Your application for a mail-in or absentee ballot must be received by your county election office by 5:00 pm on October 27th, 2020. Apply for an absentee ballot and get a step-by-step guide to voting by mail at VotesPA.com.
After you receive your ballot, complete it according to the instructions. Remember to put your ballot in the secrecy envelope marked "Official Election Ballot," and place that envelope inside the larger mailing envelope. You must fill out the form on the mailing envelope and sign it.
You can then submit your ballot by:
Mailing it. Note: Ballots must be postmarked by 8:00 pm on Election Day. To ensure your vote counts, mail your ballot back as early as possible.
Dropping it in an approved ballot drop box by 8:00 pm on Election Day. Find a dropbox location near you.
Returning it in-person to your county election office by 8:00 pm on Election Day. Find the location of your county election office or satellite offices to submit your ballot.
How long has Pennsylvania voted by mail?
Absentee ballots, submitted by mail, have been used by Pennsylvanians who are in the military, live overseas, are physically unable to come to the polls, or otherwise cannot vote in person on Election Day for over a century. The practice became widespread during the Civil War when thousands of Pennsylvania voters cast their vote by mail.
Starting in 2020, Pennsylvania expanded the option to vote by mail to all voters.
Can someone challenge my vote?
Your right to vote can only be challenged on the basis that you are falsifying your identity or are not a resident of the precinct. Challenges must be submitted directly to the Judge of Elections. Poll watchers should not address the person they are challenging.
If the Judge of Elections is satisfied with your identity or residence, you vote as normal. If they can not determine your eligibility, you can still vote in-person if another voter from the precinct signs an affidavit vouching for your identity or residence. If not, you can still vote using a provisional ballot.
Who is allowed inside a polling location?
Only voters from the precinct and people with explicit permission to be inside a polling location can be there.
People with permission can include election officials, people lawfully providing assistance to voters, appointed overseers, constables, and poll watchers.
Law enforcement officials are only allowed inside polling places if summoned by the Judge of Elections. Campaign workers and members of the public are not permitted in the polling place.
Poll watchers may keep and inspect lists of voters, and submit "good faith" challenges with evidence to the Judge of Elections that a voter is falsifying their identity or is not a resident of the precinct. Frivolous or discriminatory challenges that interfere with the running of an election are not permitted under Pennsylvania law — e.g. a poll watcher may not challenge every likely student or every older person. Poll watchers may not approach or speak to voters and must stay outside of the "enclosed space" where voting occurs.
Can members of the public monitor polling places?
No. Only registered poll watchers can monitor the inside of polling locations, and members of the public must be 10ft away from the entrance and should not engage in activity that has the effect of intimidating voters.