How to Register to Vote in PA

Registering to vote in PA is a straightforward process that ensures your voice is heard in local, state, and national elections. Whether you’re a first-time voter or need to update your registration details, understanding the steps involved can help you navigate the process smoothly.  

We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to register to vote in PA. We’ll cover the registration process, what qualifies you to vote, and how to check your voter registration status. Let’s jump in! 

What’s the Voter Registration Process Like in PA?  

Registering to vote in PA is an easy process with the right information. You can register to vote in PA in three main ways: mail, online, and in person.

How to Register to Vote in PA  

Online Registration:  

If you’re looking to register to vote, here’s how to do so online: 

1. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State’s online voter registration portal.  
2. You’ll start by filling out your basic information like your legal full name.  
3. Next, you’ll answer questions about your voting eligibility. If you’re not over the age of 18, a U.S. citizen, or a resident of Pennsylvania for at least 30 days, you cannot vote in the upcoming election. 
4. In the next step, the online form will ask why you’re registering to vote. Note that if you’ve recently changed your name or have moved, you’ll have to fill out a new application.  
5. Next, you’ll fill out your demographic and geographic location. Be sure you’ve typed your address and birthdate correctly as this confirms your eligibility. 
6. To confirm your identity, in the next step, you’ll need to include your driver’s license number and your social security number.  
7. You’ll ask in the next step to mark your political party and if you’ll need help to vote. If you do need help, you’ll be asked to state what kind of assistance you’ll need.  
8. Next, you’ll need to record any voting information that has changed. If you’ve changed your name or address since the last election, you’ll need to record your old information in this section. If none of your information has changed since the last election, you can skip this step. 
9. In the final few steps, you’ll need to “declare” that all the information you’ve provided is correct and you’ll be asked to agree to the terms and conditions.  

Be sure to double-check that your information is correct before you submit your voter registration form. 

Mail-in Registration:  

If you want to register to vote in PA by mail, here’s how to do it:  

1. Download the Voter Registration Application from the Pennsylvania Department of State website or obtain one from a local election office.  
2. Fill out the form with personal details, such as name, address, and identification number.  
3. If you’ve changed your name or address since the last election, you’ll want to include it in step 9 on your form. 
4. Both in the online application and the mail in application, you’ll be asked if you’d like to be a poll operator. You can skip this step if you don’t want to be. 
5. You’ll also be asked if you’d like a mail-in ballot. If you’d like one, you’ll need to provide an address. 
6. Then, you’ll need to declare that the information you’ve provided is correct. 
7. Lastly, fold up, tape, and mail the completed form to your county’s election office.  

In-Person Registration:  

Register in person at your county election office, any PennDOT driver’s license center, or at other designated locations like public libraries.  

Provide the necessary identification documents and complete the registration form with the help of staff if needed. An appointment is not required but you must register to vote 15 days before the election; you cannot register on the day of the election in PA. 

Visit here to find out how and where to contact your county election officials to get your voting registration process started! 

When is the PA Voter Registration Deadline?  

To vote in the 2024 presidential election, you must complete your application by 10/21/2024. Voter registration ends on this date. 

Checking Your PA Voter Registration Status  

Here’s how you can check voter registration in PA:  

1. To check your voter registration in PA, use the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s online voter registration status tool.  
2. You can check your voter registration in one of two ways: enter your personal details, such as name, date of birth, and address, or by entering your driver’s license number. 
3. From there, you’ll be able to review your registration status to ensure it is active and accurate. The tool also allows you to update your information if needed. If you don’t see your information, you’ll need to get in contact with the election official in your county or fill out a new registration form. 

What to Do if You Lose Your Voter Registration Card PA  

If you’re thinking, I lost my PA voter registration card and don’t know what to do, we’ve got you covered: 

1. Contact your local county election office to report the lost card.  
2. Request a replacement card. You may be required to provide identification and possibly complete a new registration form.  

You can expect it to take a few weeks before you get your new voter registration card. If you still haven’t received your card by election day, don’t panic! If you’re already registered to vote, you don’t need your voter registration card on election day. In Pennsylvania, there’s no additional documentation you’ll need to show on voting day to cast your ballot. 

Understanding Your Voter’s Registration Card PA  

Information that’s included on your PA voter registration card:  

• Voter’s Name and Address 

• Polling Place Information 

• Voter ID Number 

How to Use It on PA Voting Day 

1. Present the card at your designated polling place to confirm your registration and receive a ballot.  
2. If you forget the card, other forms of ID are acceptable to verify your registration.  

In PA, additional ID isn’t required to vote as long as you’re registered before election day. 

Eligibility Requirements to Vote in PA  

To vote in PA, you must be the following: 

1. You must be at least 18 years old by the date of the election.  
2. You need to be a resident of Pennsylvania and your specific voting district for at least 30 days before the election.  
3. You must be a U.S. citizen for at least one month before the election. 
4. When you register, you’ll need a real ID or piece of mail to verify your address. An electricity bill with your most recent address works for this step. 

When did the voting age in PA change?  

While changing the voting age from 18 to 21 was briefly discussed in 2022, the voting age hasn’t changed in PA. The 26th Amendment solidified the voting age as 18 in 1971.  

Can Felons Vote in PA? 

The short answer is it depends! 

You can vote in PA if: 

• You’re awaiting trial and are confined in a correctional facility and have NOT been sentenced. 

• You’re currently serving a sentence for a misdemeanor conviction only. If your misdemeanor is in violation of the Pennsylvania Election Code, you cannot register to vote. 

• You were released or will be released by the date of the election. 

• You are on probation or released on parole. 

• You are under house arrest. 

If you’re a convicted felon, you cannot vote in PA if: 

• You are currently confined in a correctional facility and will not be released until after the election. 

• You have been convicted of violating the Pennsylvania Election Code within the last four years. 

For more information, visit this link. 

When does voting start in Pennsylvania in 2024?  

General Election Day (voting for the next president of the United States) takes place on ⁦Tuesday, November 5, 2024⁩. Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.  

For the 2024 general election, Pennsylvania residents should note two key deadlines: voter registration closes on October 21, while requests for mail-in or civilian absentee ballots must be submitted by October 29. 

The last day for the county election office to receive completed mail-in and civilian absentee ballots is November 5, 2024, by 8 pm. 

For our residential customers in Pennsylvania, we’re committed to helping you navigate election day like a pro! Participating in elections helps shape the future of our communities, and making informed choices about home energy can lead to a more sustainable and budget-friendly home environment.