Answers to your frequently asked questions about voting • Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG – The 2024 Pennsylvania general election is here.

Voters will go to the polls to cast their ballots for President, the U.S. House and Senate, Pennsylvania's three statewide ranks (attorney general, auditor general and treasurer), and the state House of Representatives and Senate.

Here you will find answers to some of your most frequently asked questions. Can't find what you're looking for? Try asking Spotlight PA's Election Assistant.

When will the 2024 Pennsylvania general election take place?

Today! November 5, 2024.

When do polls open for the 2024 general election in Pennsylvania?

Polling stations open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you are in line to vote by 8 p.m., you are entitled to cast your vote.

Where do I choose?

You can find your polling location on the Pennsylvania Department of State website.

Am I registered as a voter?

You can check your voter registration online. Search by your name, county, zip code and birthday or by entering your driver's license or PennDOT ID card number.

Can I vote if I forgot to register?

Unfortunately, October 21st was the deadline to register for this election.

Can I vote if my registration is inactive?

Yes! A voter is marked as inactive if they have not voted in two consecutive federal election cycles and have not responded to a notice from the county about their registration.

If this is your status, you can still vote on November 5th. All you have to do is sign a form confirming your eligibility to vote when you go to your polling station.

Can I vote if I moved but haven't updated my registration?

If you moved within Pennsylvania less than 30 days before the election, you must vote at the polling place at your old address. If you moved within the Commonwealth more than 30 days ago but have not yet updated your registration, you may vote at the polling place for an election at your old address.

If you have purposefully moved from one county to another, you will need to fill out a form at your polling station with your new address and county. This will allow officials to update your voter registration in both counties after the election. Once this is done, you will receive a new voter registration card that corresponds to your new address.

For more information, see the “If You Move” section of the Pennsylvania Department of State website.

What do I need to bring with me to vote?

If you are voting for the first time or voting for the first time since changing your address, you will need to bring proof of identification. This may include any government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or U.S. passport, a utility bill or bank statement showing your name and address, or a military or student ID card. The full list of options can be found here.

I voted by mail. How do I check if my ballot has been received?

You can check the status of your mail-in ballot online.

I still have my mail-in ballot. How can I return it?

Your county must receive your ballot by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Do not send your ballot by mail as it will not arrive on time.

Instead, drop it off at your county elections office or a satellite location or drop box if your county offers these options. View a complete list of voting locations.

Follow all instructions to ensure your ballot is counted.

I requested a mail-in ballot but did not receive it. What should I do?

If you haven't received your mail-in ballot, you can still vote in person at your polling station.

A poll worker will offer you a provisional ballot, which will be counted after poll workers confirm that you did not cast a mail-in ballot.

I have a mail-in ballot but don't want to use it. How can I vote?

Bring all components of your mail-in ballot, including envelopes, to your polling place and hand them over to poll workers. You must sign a form declaring that you did not vote by mail. You should then be allowed to vote in the district.

Read Spotlight PA's full coverage, including candidate and election guides, at our 2024 Election Center.

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