Pennsylvania (PA)
Eligibility
Age: 18 (may pre-register at 17)
ID Requirements
To Register: PA driver's license or PennDOT ID card number, or last 4 of SSN. If neither, check the box; first-time voters must show ID when voting (PA DL, any US government-issued ID, passport, military ID, student ID from PA institution, employee ID, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document with name and address).
To Vote: ID required for first-time voters at a new polling place; not required for subsequent visits
Registration Methods
- Online: Residents can submit a voter registration application electronically through the state's website, rather than by mail or in person.
- Mail: Residents can register to vote by completing a paper registration form and submitting it by mail to the appropriate election office.
- In Person: Residents can register to vote by visiting a designated government office, such as a county clerk's office or DMV, and completing a registration form on site.
Early Voting
A period before Election Day during which voters can cast their ballots in person at designated polling locations. The length of the early voting period varies by state.
Pennsylvania does not offer traditional early voting. In-person mail ballot voting available at county election offices.
Mail-In / Absentee Voting
A voting method where ballots are automatically mailed to all registered voters without requiring a specific request. States that use this approach conduct elections primarily or entirely by mail.
No-excuse mail-in voting available for all registered voters.
Felony Voting Rules
State laws governing whether and when people with felony convictions can vote. Policies range from no restrictions to permanent disenfranchisement, with most states restoring rights at some point after sentencing.
Rights restored upon release from prison. People on probation or parole may vote.
Documentation Needed
- PA DL number or last 4 of SSN
- ID for first-time voters at polling place
Recent News
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Voting Rule Changes Would Impact Millions of Eligible Voters
Analysis of how proposed federal proof-of-citizenship requirements could impact millions of eligible Pennsylvania voters who lack readily available documentation.
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Badly Needed Updates to Pennsylvania's Election Law Unlikely Despite New Consensus on Voter ID
While leaders expressed openness to expanding voter ID, comprehensive election law reform remains stalled due to conflicting partisan priorities.
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Voter ID, Election Modernization Deadlocked in Pennsylvania Legislature
Despite broad agreement that Pennsylvania's election code needs updating, partisan disagreements over voter ID continue to block progress on election modernization.
Sources
Last verified: Feb 24, 2026
Change Log
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Recent NewsAdded recent news items