Voter Registration in Pennsylvania

Attention: Voter information and identification requirements may change prior to an election. Please check with the Department of State's VotesPA website to make sure you have the most current information.

Voter Registration in Pennsylvania

To participate in Pennsylvania elections, you have to register to vote with the Pennsylvania Department of State. You can also register to vote through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) at any photo license center, as well as other government agencies.

As of January 1, 2024 PA has added the option for any eligible resident applying or renewing a PA driver's license or ID to also register to vote.

If you vote regularly you do NOT need to register again unless you need to change your address, name, or party affiliation. It is important to make sure you are eligible to vote before an election by checking your registration status.

See below for more information about voter eligibility, ways to register to vote, and registration deadlines.

Voter Eligibility in Pennsylvania

To register to vote in Pennsylvania, you must:

  • Have been a U.S. citizen for at least 30 days before the next election.
  • Be 18 years old by the next election.
  • Have been a resident of Pennsylvania and the district you wish to vote in for at least 30 days before the next election.

Felony Convictions and Voting Rights

Those on parole and/or probation are eligible to vote.
If you are incarcerated for a felony conviction you are not eligible to vote. Voting rights are automatically restored when you are no longer incarcerated and you should re-register to vote.

Just Moved?

Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

Check Your Voter Registration Status

To check the status of your voter registration and locate your polling place in Pennsylvania:

Register to Vote in Pennsylvania

To vote in the next election in PA, you must be registered as a voter at least 15 days before the election date.

In Pennsylvania, you can register to vote online, by mail or in person. You cannot register to vote by phone.

Online

The state's online voter application allows you to complete and submit your application online.

Once you submit the application online, it will be reviewed by your county voter registration office; you are not registered to vote until you receive your voter registration card.

While the state allows an “electronic signature" for you to complete the online application, PennDOT must have your physical signature on file before it will approve your voter registration application.

Generally, PennDOT will forward your signature to your county voter registration office; this is the signature you have on file for your driver's license or identification card.

Refer to the state's section on online voter registration for more information on application signature options.

By Mail or In Person

To register to vote by mail or in person, complete a Pennsylvania Voter Registration Mail Application Form (DSBE-600) and take or mail it to your PA county Board of Elections office.

You can also take the completed form in person to:

  • A government agency office. (Visit the elections website for a list of agencies.)
    OR
  • A PennDOT photo license center when you apply for or renew your PA driver's license.

You can request the form to be sent to you by e-mailing the following information:

  • Full name.
  • Mailing address.
  • The number of forms you need.

Military & Overseas Voters

If you are outside of the state with the military or a U.S. citizen living overseas, you can register to vote using the Federal Voting Assistance Program'sVoter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application (Form 76).

Alternatively, you can use any of the registration processes listed above under Register to Vote in Pennsylvania, as well as request an absentee ballot directly from the state.

Refer to the state's section on military and overseas citizens for more details.

Absentee Registration & Voting

Before you begin, understand that Pennsylvania has extremely specific regulations regarding who can vote absentee. Refer to the state's section on absentee voting to find out if you're eligible.

Generally, absentee voters can register to vote just like any other voter; refer to the information above under Register to Vote in Pennsylvania.

Once you're registered to vote, you'll request an absentee ballot. Your local elections office must receive your application before the deadline.

You can request an emergency absentee ballot if you don't make the original deadline.

College Students

As a college student who has moved to another county or another state to attend school, you can still vote.

Your options include:

  • Registering to vote using any of the methods described under Register to Vote in Pennsylvania above and voting in your home county (i.e. your primary address before you moved).
    OR
  • Registering to vote using your new on-campus or off-campus address and voting in that district.

You can use only one of these methods.

NOTE: Students studying abroad can use the registration and absentee voting methods described above under Military & Overseas Voter Registration.

Change Your Name or Address

If you change your name, address, or party affiliation, you must update your information by resubmitting a Pennsylvania Voter Registration Mail Application Form DSBE-600). Follow the steps outlined in Register to Vote in Pennsylvania above.

If you move to a new county less than 30 days before an election, you must vote at a polling location in the county where you previously lived.

After the election, you must resubmit the Pennsylvania Voter Registration Mail Application Form DSBE-600) to your new county Board of Elections. Simply check the “Change of Address" box.

Forms

DSBE-600
Voter Registration
Mail this form to your county voter registration office to register as a Pennsylvania voter.
76
Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application
If you're a U.S. citizen living out of your voting jurisdiction, use this form to register to vote AND/OR request an absentee ballot.
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