Q: Who can apply for a Pennsylvania Mail-in Ballot?
A: Any registered voter may request a mail-in ballot.
Q: Do I need a medical or travel reason to use a Mail-in Ballot?
A: No. No excuse is needed.
Q: What are Absentee Ballots?
A: Absentee ballots can be requested by voters with disabilities or an illness that prevents them from going to their polling place on election day, or those who will be absent from their municipality on Election Day. Voters requesting an Absentee ballot will be asked to state whether they will be absent from the municipality on election day or have an illness or physical disability.
Q: What is the annual mail-in ballot request?
A: If you indicate you would like to be added to the annual mail-in ballot request list, you will receive an application to renew your request for mail-in ballot each year. Once your application is approved, you will automatically receive ballots for the remainder of the year and you do not need to submit an application for each election. If you update your voter registration due to relocation out of county after you submit an annual mail-in ballot request, please ensure your annual status is transferred when updating your address.
Q: I can't remember if I already applied for a mail-in ballot. What happens if I apply more than once?
A: If you apply for a mail-in ballot twice, your second application will be denied because it is a duplicate. There is no penalty for applying twice.
Q: I already applied for a ballot, but I keep getting applications in the mail. Does this mean that my first application was rejected?
A: No. Many voter education and get-out-the-vote organizations send mail ballot information and applications to Pennsylvania voters. For that reason, you may receive multiple applications. Returning more than one application will result in additional workload for the election staff in your county office, but you will still be sent only one ballot. In addition, voters have reported receiving mail ballots even though they did not apply for them. In nearly all cases, these voters opted to be added to the annual mail ballot list when they applied for a mail ballot for the primary. Opting into this list means that your county will send you a ballot for all elections during that calendar year. If you would like to receive a mail ballot, the Department of State recommends using the official absentee or mail-in ballot application available on Request for Mail-in and Absentee Ballots.
Q: What type of pen or pencil should I use to mark my ballot?
A: Mark your ballot by completely filling in the oval with a pencil or a blue or black pen. Do not write or make stray marks on the ballot.
Q: What if I make a mistake on my ballot and need to change what I marked?
A: If you make a mistake, do not cross out items and submit your ballot. Call your County Election Office to learn how to request a Replacement Ballot. The phone number for the Westmoreland County Elections Bureau is 724-830-3150. (You may also surrender your mail-in voting ballot along with both envelopes, at your polling place on Election Day and vote in-person.) Note: If you have already mailed in your ballot, it is too late to make a change.
Q: What if my mail-in ballot or envelopes are misprinted or damaged?
A: Call your County Election Office to learn how to request a Replacement Ballot. The phone number for the Westmoreland County Elections Bureau is 724-830-3150. (You may also surrender your mail-in voting ballot along with both envelopes, at your polling place on Election Day and vote in-person.) Note: If you have already mailed in your ballot, it is too late to make a change.
Q: Why are there two envelopes with my mail-in ballot?
A: The smaller secrecy envelope is intended to protect the anonymity of your vote. After you fill out your ballot, you must place it in the yellow secrecy envelope and seal it. Do not make any marks on this envelope. If you fail to place and seal your ballot in this envelope or if you make marks on this envelope, your ballot will not be counted. The second, larger envelope is the mailing and declaration envelope. You must use it, even if you are dropping your ballot off at a drop box. Place your secrecy envelope (with your ballot inside) into the mailing and declaration envelope. You must seal it and sign and date the declaration before you can return your ballot. Both of these envelopes must be used in order for your vote to count.
Q: What if I received my Mail-in Ballot, but there's not enough time to mail it back before Election Day?
A: You can deliver your ballot to your County Elections Office in person, or drop box, if one is available. You cannot return it to your polling place to be counted. If your received a mail-in ballot but did not complete it, you may surrender your incomplete mail-in ballot, along with both envelopes, at your polling place and vote a regular ballot.
Q: What if I requested a mail-in or absentee ballot but I didn't receive a ballot?
A: If you requested a mail-in ballot but did not receive it, or you do not have it to surrender at your polling place, you may vote by provisional ballot at your polling place.
Q: What I returned my mail-in ballot but have changed my mind and want to vote in-person?
A: If you did vote your mail-in ballot and returned it to your county board of elections, you are not eligible to vote at your polling place. If you believe that you are eligible to vote in person, you can vote by provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be reviewed by the county board of elections after Election Day.
Q: Can I drop off someone else's ballot at the County Elections Office or drop box?
A: No. You may not return another person's ballot, even for members of your own household, unless that person is disabled and has completed the form Authorize Designated Agent authorizing you to do so.
Q: How do I know if my ballot was accepted and counted?
A: You can track the status of your ballot on PA Voter Services Ballot Tracker. If you provided your email address to your county election office at the time you registered to vote or applied for a ballot, you will receive an email notification when your returned ballot is recorded.