How to Secure Your Absentee Ballot for 2026 Primary

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As the Pennsylvania May 2026 primary draws near, registered voters can request either a no-excuse mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot if they will not be available to vote in person. Learn more about how to secure your mail-in or absentee ballot for the primary on Tuesday, May 19.

Ballot Submission Deadlines

5 p.m., May 12: Your application for a mail-in or absentee ballot must be received by your county election office.
8 p.m., May 19: Your county election office must receive your completed mail ballot by this time. A postmark by 8 p.m. May 19 is not sufficient.

Applying for a Mail-in Ballot in Pennsylvania

Registered voters can apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot online with a valid Pennsylvania driver's license, PennDOT-issued photo ID, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Make sure to include an email address with your application so that you will receive ballot status notifications.

Individuals can also request a paper application for a no-excuse mail-in ballot by using the forms available on the PA.gov website.

Your county election office must receive your paper ballot application at least one week before the next election occurs.

You can also vote in person by mail ballot in one trip to your county election office or other officially designated site. Once your county's ballots are ready, you can visit your elections office, request your mail ballot, receive it, complete it, and submit it all at the same time.

How to Vote and Return a Mail-in or Absentee Ballot in Pennsylvania

It's essential to follow the steps below to ensure your mail-in or absentee ballot is recorded correctly.

Read the instructions carefully and mark your ballot. Complete the front and back of each page.
Seal your ballot in the yellow envelope marked "official election ballot." Do not make any marks on the yellow envelope.
Seal the yellow envelope in the pre-addressed outer return envelope. Sign and write the current date on the voter's declaration on the outside of the outer return envelope.
Return your completed ballot to the county election board. Absentee and mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on election day at your county election board.

Who Is on the Ballot in Pennsylvania?

All but one of Pennsylvania's 17 U.S. House district representatives are running for re-election. U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, who represents the 3rd District, is retiring at the end of his term. Several candidates are vying for the Philadelphia-area lawmaker's seat in Congress.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, representing the Democratic party, and Stacy Garrity, representing the Republican party, are on the primary ballot for governor.

Several Pennsylvania state Senate primary races have multiple candidates, including those in the 4th, 8th, 16th, 20th, 22nd, 32nd, 34th, 36th, 42nd, 46th, and 48th Senatorial Districts.

In the Philadelphia region, several primary races have multiple candidates, including the following: