Election Resources for Media

Before Election Day

When does “early voting” begin in Pennsylvania, and is it Sept. 16?
While objections and other legal actions related to third-party candidates impacted counties’ ability to finalize ballots, currently all have made them available for voters. 

Now that all counties have finalized their ballots, any registered voter can apply for their mail-in ballot in person at their county election office, complete it, then submit it all in one visit. Voters should check their county's website to see what hours their election office or satellite election office, if applicable, is open. 

Voters have two other ways to request their mail-in or absentee ballot:

• online or 

• by mail.

Although voters can request, receive, complete, and return their completed ballots before Election Day, state law does not allow election officials to open those ballots and prepare them for scanning – a process known as pre-canvassing – until 7 a.m. on Election Day - just like there are no polling places open for in-person voting before Election Day.

Unofficial results will begin being reported on the PA Department of State’s Election Night Returns website after the polls close at 8 p.m. Nov. 5.

When is the deadline to register to vote?
Oct. 21, 2024, is the last day Pennsylvanians can register to vote in the Nov. 5, 2024, general election.

To vote in Pennsylvania, you must meet the requirements and register to vote. 

Statewide voter registration data – broken down by county, party, Congressional district, Senate district, and House district – is updated weekly on our Voting & Election Statistics page under “Current Voter Registration Stats.”

What methods can voters use to cast their ballot?
Pennsylvania voters can vote by no-excuse mail-in ballot or absentee ballot, or they can vote in person on Election Day at their assigned polling place.

Voting by mail

Thanks to bipartisan legislation passed in 2019, any registered Pennsylvania voter can request a no-excuse mail-in ballot.

Voters who have a disability or illness that will prevent them from being able to vote in person on Election Day can request an absentee ballot.

The deadline for voters to request their mail-in or absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. For a mail ballot to count, it must be received by the voter’s county board of elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024.

Learn more about mail-in and absentee ballots.

Voting in person

Registered voters can vote in person at their assigned polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

If a voter requested a mail ballot but wishes to vote in person, they may be able to cast a ballot under certain circumstances. 

Voters can also vote in person by mail ballot before Election Day by applying for and completing a mail ballot in one visit to their county election office.

Other voting options

If a voter has an emergency such as an unexpected illness, disability, or last-minute absence from their municipality, they can request an emergency absentee ballot between 5 p.m. Oct. 29 and 8 p.m. Nov. 5. To request one, the voter must complete an application. 

If the voter cannot appear in person at the election office, then they can designate someone else to obtain the ballot, deliver it to them, and then return the completed ballot to their county election office.

Pennsylvania also offers other accessible solutions for voters with disabilities and additional procedures for other types of voters, including overseas civilians. 

What is “ballot curing,” and does it occur in Pennsylvania?
“Ballot curing” is a term that is sometimes used to describe a process where voters can address a mistake on a mail ballot or accompanying envelopes that, if left unaddressed, may result in the ballot not being counted.

Although it is called “ballot” curing, in Pennsylvania, the most common errors that need to be addressed usually involve a missing signature, a missing or incorrect date or a missing inner secrecy envelope.  Voters must pack their ballot inside the inner secrecy envelope, and the envelope must be packed in the outer declaration envelope. Voters must sign the declaration envelope and write the current date on the outer envelope. View the design of the mail ballot envelopes in PA.

Under Pennsylvania law, counties are not required to allow voters to address errors on envelopes that have been returned to their county, but they are permitted to do so. The method of how and whether to allow voters to address the errors observed on their voting materials is a matter of county discretion. To find out the procedures in a specific county, reporters should contact the appropriate county election office.

What training is provided for poll workers before an election?
Training poll workers is the duty of each county election board. Election boards hold sessions that prepare poll workers to perform their Election Day duties and familiarize them with the voting systems and procedures specific to the county where they will be serving. 

In addition to the training provided by Philadelphia County, the Committee of Seventy offers a variety of supplemental virtual information sessions to help first-time or seasoned poll workers feel prepared and confident. 

Can reporters attend poll worker trainings?
Maybe. The training of elections officials is conducted by each county board of elections, as polling place procedures vary from county to county. Reporters should contact their county election offices regarding permission to potentially observe their training procedures.

How are complete and accurate voter rolls ensured? 
Voter registration list maintenance is the responsibility of each county, and all counties do a robust job fulfilling that responsibility throughout the year. Each county is required by law to conduct two different voter list maintenance programs annually.

Counties use reliable information securely obtained through various official methods, including Pennsylvania’s membership in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC).

The Department is continually enhancing its ability to provide training to county officials on, among other things, uniformly conducting voter list maintenance in accordance with the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and Pennsylvania’s voter registration law, which closely follows the NVRA.

Further information on voter list maintenance can be found in the Department’s annual reports on the Administration of Voter Registration in Pennsylvania.

What is the process for presidential candidates to designate their electors?
In Pennsylvania, each major party presidential candidate must submit the names of their electors to the Secretary of the Commonwealth within 30 days of their official nomination.  

Minor political parties and political bodies nominate their electors through nomination papers.

What is the Committee of Seventy doing to combat misinformation and disinformation?
The Committee of Seventy strongly encourages everyone to verify the source of election-related information before they share it and to ensure the information comes from a trustworthy source. 

The Department of State has created a resource to help educate the public on how to vet a source to determine if it is trustworthy.

The Department also updates its fact-check page as needed to provide accurate information about emerging widespread, pervasive claims related to Pennsylvania’s elections.

Which offices are on the ballot this November?

• President and Vice President of the United States

• U.S. Senate (those elected to office in November 2018)

• U.S. House of Representatives (all districts)

• State Attorney General

• State Auditor General

• State Treasurer

• State Senate (odd-numbered districts)

• State House of Representatives (all districts)

Additionally, voters may vote on local referendum issues if any appear on their ballot.

To find the current list of candidates on the general election ballot and other information to prepare to cast your ballot, visit the Committee of Seventy’s Interactive Voter Guide. 

Can convicted felons vote in Pennsylvania elections?
State law prohibits Pennsylvania residents from voting if they have been convicted of a felony and are currently incarcerated. Residents cannot vote if, on Election Day, they are confined in a penal institution for a felony conviction or if they live in a halfway house or other alternative correctional facility on a pre-release status for a felony conviction.

Upon release from incarceration, their eligibility to vote is restored. Unlike some other states, in Pennsylvania there is no need to seek a pardon or restoration of rights. However, former inmates need to submit or update their voter registration like any other citizen.

Additionally, those convicted of violating any provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code within the last four years are ineligible to vote. Learn more about criminal status and voting.

What is ballot harvesting, and is it legal in Pennsylvania?
The term “ballot harvesting” often refers to an individual collecting and returning more than one mail-in or absentee ballot at a time. In Pennsylvania, voters generally are required to return their own completed mail ballot.

However, according to federal laws designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities or other impediments to voting–including the Voting Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act–certain voters may designate another person, known as a “designated agent” to assist them with all aspects of voting. That assistance includes returning a mail-in or absentee ballot on the voter’s behalf. 

Must write-in candidates declare their candidacy?
No. Pennsylvania does not require write-in candidates to file a declaration of write-in candidacy so votes for them can be counted. However, candidates intending to run a write-in campaign are encouraged to alert the elections office in every county located in the district for which they plan to run.

On Election Day

What are the rules for accessing polling places? Can reporters interview, record video, or take photos inside of polling places and, if so, when?

• Reporters are not permitted to enter polling places while votes are being cast and must remain at least 10 feet away from the polling room. 

• Reporters are permitted to speak to voters at least 10 feet away from the polling room where voting is taking place.

• Reporters’ access to polling places at times when votes are not being cast is determined on a county-by-county level, and reporters should contact the appropriate county election office for more information.

What types of voting machines/systems are used in PA?
Each county uses one of five pre-approved voting systems:

• ClearBallot

• Dominion

• ES&S

• Hart

• Unisyn

All five voting systems have been certified by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and the Pennsylvania Secretary of State. To be certified, a voting system must follow all current federal and state standards; must produce voter-verifiable paper records; and must meet the latest standards of security, auditability, and accessibility.

Here is a breakdown of which voting system is used in each county.

How many poll workers are needed in Pennsylvania?
More than 45,000 poll workers are needed to staff the more than 9,100 polling places on Election Day.

What roles do poll workers fill, and what are the eligibility requirements and duties?
Poll workers in Pennsylvania are either elected or appointed, depending on the position they serve on Election Day.

The Judge of Elections, Majority Inspector, and Minority Inspector make up the district election board and are elected positions that are filled during municipal elections the year following each presidential election. However, vacancies on district election boards can be filled by county court appointees.

• The Judge of Elections oversees the polling place and works alongside Majority and Minority Inspectors to manage the polling place, keep track of the number of voters, and ensure the returns are delivered to the county election office at the end of Election Day.

• Clerks and Machine Inspectors are appointed by the county elections board to aid the board under the supervision of the Judge of Elections. They help check-in voters, manage the lines, and make sure voters know where to go at each step in the process.

What is the difference between poll workers and poll watchers?
Poll workers are elected or appointed to their nonpartisan position and manage the polling place on Election Day, help keep track of the number of voters, and ensure the ballot returns are delivered to the county election office after polls close. Poll workers swear an oath to "impartially and faithfully perform [their] duties."

Poll watchers are credentialed representatives of a candidate or political party who may be present inside the polling place during Election Day. They can make good-faith challenges to a voter’s identity or continued residence in the election district. Such challenges must be lodged directly with the Judge of Elections, and poll watchers have no authority to approach voters at the polling place or prevent a voter from voting.

In addition, poll watchers are not permitted to mark or in any way alter official election records, access the contents of ballot boxes, or interfere with the orderly process of voting.

How are poll watchers appointed by political parties?
Poll watchers must be registered to vote in the county where they serve. In addition, they must be identified by and receive official credentials from the county prior to the election.

Each candidate is able to appoint two poll watchers to an election district; however, only one of them can be present at any given time. Additionally, each political party with candidates on the ballot may appoint three poll watchers for each election district, but only one may be at the polling place at a time.

When must voters show ID?
Voters are asked to provide a Pennsylvania driver’s license number, Pennsylvania state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number when they register to vote and every time they vote by mail.

In-person voters must show appropriate ID when they vote at a new polling place for the first time. 

When must mail ballots be received by?
Mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day for them to be counted.

Special rules apply to military and overseas voters. 

After Election Day

When will election results be available?
Counties will begin uploading their unofficial results to the election results website after polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Remember: Counting millions of ballots takes time, and all results are unofficial until the Secretary of the Commonwealth certifies them at least three weeks later. 

How are Pennsylvania’s election results audited?
Counties are required to conduct two separate random audits of the results: a statutorily required two percent audit and a risk-limiting audit prior to certification. 

How are votes that are cast on electronic voting systems able to be audited?
All voting machines used in Pennsylvania produce a voter-verifiable paper ballot that must be used for both audits.

What margin automatically triggers a recount in a statewide race?
If the unofficial results between two candidates in a statewide contest is within 0.5%, then a recount is automatically triggered. 

When will the 2024 general election results be certified?
The federal Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 (ECRA) established strict rules on when states must certify the election. Under the ECRA, Pennsylvania’s electors for president must be certified by Dec. 11, 2024.

What does the certification process look like?
Before the Secretary of State certifies the results of the election, a thorough process to ensure the accuracy of the reported results must occur.

• Nov. 5, 2024: poll workers begin counting mail ballots at 7 a.m. on Election Day and in-person ballots when polls close at 8 p.m. Poll workers will continue to count both in-person and mail ballots into the next day.

• Nov. 8, 2024: on the Friday after Election Day, counties begin their official canvass of the election. During this time, counties “reconcile” their votes by ensuring the number of voters recorded as having voted in each precinct matches the number of ballots counted from each precinct. Election officials also check the eligibility of provisional ballots and process all eligible provisional ballots, among other tasks.

• Nov. 12, 2024: Counties are required to submit their unofficial results to the Department of State.

• Nov. 22, 2024: Counties must complete the pre-certification risk-limiting election audit.

• Nov. 25, 2024: Counties must certify all election results to the Secretary of State, who will then certify the election results statewide after review.

• Dec. 11, 2024: Governor Shapiro must sign Pennsylvania’s Certificate of Ascertainment.

• Dec. 17, 2024: The Electoral College meets in Harrisburg to vote for president and vice president.

Common Voting Myths

MYTH 1: VOTING BY MAIL WILL LEAD TO VOTER FRAUD.
Fact: Extensive research indicates that election and voter fraud is very rare. There is no evidence of an increase in voter fraud in states that primarily vote by mail. These false allegations of widespread fraud chip away at Americans trust in elections and can potentially discourage voters from casting ballots. In Oregon, voters have mailed in over 100 million ballots since 2000. Of those, 0.000012% resulted in fraud (about 12 cases). For more info, see this research from the Brennan Center for Justice and this commentary from two leading experts in election administration.

We also encourage Pennsylvanians to share the following infographics illustrating critical election security features in the election system:

• Pennsylvania's Elections are Secure, highlighting features of the election system critical to security, from equipment testing to bipartisan oversight; and

• Post-Election Playbook, summarizing the various processes that take place starting on Election Day when the first ballot is processed through auditing and certification.

MYTH 2: IF I MAIL MY BALLOT, IT WON’T BE COUNTED ON TIME.
Fact: As long as you fill out your ballot properly and return it by your state’s deadline, it will count the same as if you voted in person at the polls. In Pennsylvania, the deadline for mail-in ballots is 8 p.m. on Election Day. Thanks to a barcode on the outer envelope of your ballot, you can confirm that your ballot was received and counted through the tracking page on the Department of State website. With this barcode, election officials can track who has voted but NOT who a voter has voted for.

MYTH 3: VOTE BY MAIL GIVES ONE PARTY AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE.
Fact: Voting by mail has shown no partisan advantage. Rather, vote by mail has been proven to increase voter turnout regardless of party affiliation. Moreover, broader access to vote by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic helps protect the health of voters and poll workers. For more, see this analysis by the statistics wonks at FiveThirtyEight.

Check our Myths & FAQs Page for more information.