- 1.What is the difference between an absentee ballot and a mail-in ballot?
- Absentee ballots require a reason for requesting one, such as illness, disability, or plans to be away on Election Day.
Mail-in ballots may be requested by any qualified voter with no reason required and can be used in lieu of absentee ballots.
- 2.How may I get a mail-in or absentee ballot?
- You must apply for one, either online at www.votespa.com/applymailballot, or by printing, completing and mailing the mail-in or absentee application found on that site.
** IMPORTANT: Do not submit multiple applications, as they slow down the Board of Elections’ ability to process new applications. **
- 3.Will I get notifications on the status of my ballot?
- If you apply online at www.votespa.com/applymailballot and include an e-mail address you will get notifications when your application is processed, when your ballot is sent, and when your voted ballot is returned to the Board of Elections.
If you apply by paper application, you can track the status at www.votespa.com/mailballotstatus. If your status reads “Pending,” it means your ballot application has been processed and approved. As ballots are mailed out and completed ballots are mailed back and received, the status will update.
If your application has not yet been processed yet, you will receive this:
- 4.By what date must I return my ballot?
- If hand delivering your ballot, it must be received (and placed in the secrecy envelope and mailing envelope) at the Board of Elections or placed in one of its secure drop box locations, by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
If mailing your ballot, it must be received (and placed in the secrecy envelope and mailing envelope) by the Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count.
- 5.What is a “Secrecy Envelope” and is it necessary?
- Absentee and mail-in ballots must be placed in the envelope marked “Official Election Ballot” and then placed into the signed and dated declaration envelope.
The PA Supreme Court has ruled that absentee and mail-in ballots that are missing the Secrecy Envelope cannot be counted.
- 6.May I return my mail-in or absentee ballot in person?
- Yes. Ballots can either be returned directly to the Board of Elections office or returned to secure drop boxes that are placed throughout the county. Please check back regularly for drop box locations and dates of availability.
- 7.May I return someone’s ballot other than my own, such as a family member’s?
- No. By law, only the voter themselves may hand deliver their ballot to the Board of Elections. However, if you have a disability that prevents you from submitting your ballot in person, you may fill out an authorized designated agent form which would allow someone you choose to drop off your ballot (with the filled-out form) on your behalf.
- 8.What if I decide to vote in person after applying for an absentee or mail-in ballot?
- If you still have your mail-in ballot and envelope on Election Day, you may hand it to the poll workers at your polling place, complete a declaration form, and use the voting machine instead.
If you do not bring your ballot and envelope with you, you will be required to vote using a provisional ballot to be approved at a later date by the Board of Elections.
- 9.I requested a mail-in or absentee ballot, but it didn’t arrive. May I vote in person?
- Yes. Go to your regular polling place and tell the poll workers you applied for a ballot, but it didn’t arrive. It will be marked in the poll book that you applied for a ballot that was not returned. You will be given a provisional ballot to fill out.
- 10.If I’ve already returned my absentee or mail-in ballot, and the county has received it, can I still vote at the polls?
- If you have already returned your ballot, it will be indicated in the poll book that your ballot has already been cast. Your only option would be to vote provisionally. However, a valid absentee or mail-in ballot would supersede the provisional.