By: J.J. Abbott, Deputy Press Secretary
If you are unable to attend your polling place in person on Election Day, you may be eligible to vote by absentee ballot.
You must be already registered to receive an absentee ballot. If you’re unsure, confirm your registration.
Here is a straightforward guide on how to find out if you’re eligible to vote absentee and how to apply for an absentee ballot.
A voter needs to have a reason or an excuse to vote by absentee ballot. So, who can vote by absentee ballot?
Voters who are away from their municipality because of:
- business, duties or occupation
- leave of absence or sabbatical leave
- vacation
- college student living at school
Voters who cannot go to the polling place because of:
- illness or disability
- veterans who are bedridden or hospitalized
- observance of a religious holiday
- election duties
Voters who are:
- serving in the armed forces or Merchant Marine
- outside the United States for business and their accompanying spouses/dependents
You’re eligible. Now here are some deadlines to keep in mind:
- 21: Suggested deadline to mail absentee ballot applications
- 28: Suggested deadline to mail voted absentee ballot
- 1: Deadline for county to receive absentee application
- 4: Deadline for county to receive voted absentee ballot
Note: Absentee ballot applications and voted ballots must be submitted to and received by the county board of elections office by 5 p.m. on the day of the deadline. Postmarks do not mean “received.”
Now, here’s how to get your ballot mailed to you. You can request an absentee ballot by:
- submitting an absentee ballot request form (by mail or in person). You can download an application form from votesPA.com/absenteeballot
- sending a letter to the county board of elections in the county in which you are registered
- Print, complete, sign and deliver or mail the application to your local county election office.
The address and telephone number for your local county elections and voter registration office may be found using the County Information Link at votesPA.com/county.
In order to make sure you can get your ballot mailed to you and submitted in time, take these steps as soon as possible. If you have any questions, contact the Department of State by phone (1-877-VOTESPA) or e-mail (ST-HAVA@pa.gov).