
PAGE NAVIGATION
- Dates and Deadlines
- Need help? Call the Election Protection Hotline.
- Voting with a Criminal Conviction
- Voting in the November General Election
- About the General Election
- Know Your Rights at the Polls
- FAQ
DATES AND DEADLINES
- Tuesday, May 18, 2021: Primary Election Day
- Monday, May 3, 2021: Last day to register to vote
- Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 5 pm: Last day to request an absentee or mail-in ballot
- Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 8 pm: Completed mail-in ballots must be received by your county election office. Postmarked is not enough.
Apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot
NEED HELP? CALL THE ELECTION PROTECTION HOTLINE
To get the most up-to-date information about the election, answers to questions about your polling location, get help with any voting-related issue, or report a problem on Election Day, you can call one of these nonpartisan voter hotlines.
- English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
- Español and English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) NALEO Educational Fund
- (عربى Arabic and English: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) Arab American Institute (AAI)
- Mandarin (普通話), Cantonese (廣東話; 話), Korean (한국어), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt), Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, Bengali and English - 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) APIAVote & Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)
You can also call the state’s election’s bureau for help, including how to find your city or county’s election office: 1-877-VOTESPA (877-868-3772)
VOTING WITH A CRIMINAL CONVICTION
In Pennsylvania, a criminal conviction does not stop you from voting. You can vote if:
- You are on probation or parole.
- You are living in a halfway house. (Must vote with an absentee ballot and cannot use the address of the halfway house as your registration address. Must use previous or future address.)
- You are in jail awaiting trial. (Must vote with an absentee ballot.)
- You are currently incarcerated for a misdemeanor conviction. (Must vote with an absentee ballot.)
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You are under house arrest. (Must vote with an absentee ballot)
Learn more about voting with a criminal conviction.
VOTING WITH A CRIMINAL CONVICTION
VOTING IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION
You have the option to vote in person or to vote-by-mail. If you decide to vote in person, be sure to check your polling location before you vote. If you are concerned about voting by mail, know that it is safe. There are checks in place that can prevent your vote from not being counted. If you suspect your ballot is lost in the mail, or if you lose it in the house, you can call your county election office and request a replacement. Google your county’s election office or call 877-VOTESPA to be connected. To learn more about each option, take a look at our FAQ section below.
New voter?
If you are a first-time voter, the first step is to register before the registration deadline on Monday, May 3.
Register
Moved since you last voted?
It is important that you are registered at your current address so you can get the correct ballot, especially if you plan to vote by mail. The deadline is Monday, May 3.
Update your registration (address, name, or party)
If you want to register in person, or on paper, call 877-VOTESPA (877-868-3772) for help.
ABOUT THE PRIMARY ELECTION
On May 18, voters across Pennsylvania will vote on constitutional amendments, ballot questions, any *special election contests, and for candidates within their political party to run for office during the general election. Voters also vote for their political party’s officers. In PA, you can only vote for the candidates in the same political party that you indicated on your registration.
*Special elections are held when someone in office can no longer serve (i.g. death).
*COVID-19 has placed us in uncertain times. Some election details are subject to change. Continue to check this page and/or votespa.com for the latest information. This guide to voting in Pennsylvania is not legal advice. If you have questions about your eligibility or rights, please call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or consult a lawyer.