Key Primary Dates: 2020
Please keep these important dates in mind to ensure your vote is heard in the 2020 Democratic primary!
| Primary Election Day | Voter Registration Deadline |
|---|---|
| June 2, 2020 | May 18, 2020 |
| Mail Ballot Requests Deadline | Mail Ballot Return Deadline |
| May 26, 2020 | June 2, 2020 |
How To Register To Vote
How To Vote Absentee
Voter Registration FAQ
There are three ways to register to vote in Pennsylvania: online, by mail, or in person at your county’s Board of Elections office.
- To register online, click here or visit www.votespa.com/register at least fifteen days prior to the next election. To vote in the 2020 Democratic Primary Election, you must be registered as a Democrat by Monday, May 18th.
- To register by mail, print this application and mail it to your county’s Voter Registration Office, whose address is listed within the application.
- To register in person, find your county’s nearest Board of Elections office and stop in during business hours to complete a voter registration form.
Yes, if you have lived at your current address for more than thirty days as of primary election day, you may register to vote in PA without a PA driver’s license.
Anyone who turns 18 on or before June 2, 2020 may register as a Democrat in time to vote in the primary. You must still submit your voter registration application prior to May 18, 2020.
Vote By Mail FAQ
To vote by mail in Pennsylvania, you must first request your mail-in ballot. We recommend that you request your ballot online at PADems.com/mail or in person at your county’s Board of Elections office.
After you have received your ballot, you must mark your ballot according to the accompanying instructions, place it in the secrecy envelope, and mail it to your county’s elections office.
Your county’s Board of Elections must receive your ballot by Election Day. A postmark on/before Election Day does not guarantee your ballot will be counted; it must be received by this deadline!
That said, we recommend you vote in person on Election Day if it is safe and convenient for you. This will ensure mail-in ballots can be tabulated more quickly and enable election officials to focus on those who need mail-in ballots most—like senior citizens and those with limited mobility.
NOTE: If you’re eligible for an Absentee Ballot, PA law requires that you apply for an Absentee Ballot rather than a Mail-In Ballot.
Mail-in ballots must be REQUESTED at least one week prior to the election. For the 2020 Democratic primary, the deadline to request your ballot is Tuesday, May 26th.
Mail-in ballots must be RECEIVED by the time polls close on Election Day. For the 2020 Democratic primary, the deadline to return your ballot is 8:00 PM Tuesday, June 2nd.
Please note that a postmark on/before Election Day does not guarantee your ballot will be counted! Your ballot must be in the physical possession of your county’s Board of Elections by the time polls close.
Primary Day FAQ
Polls are open 7:00 AM − 8:00 PM.
By PA law, anyone who is in line by 8:00 PM must be allowed to vote. If you are in line at 8:00 PM, stay in line until your ballot has been cast!
In Pennsylvania, you are NOT required to show identification UNLESS it’s your first time voting at your current polling place.
All voters appearing at a polling place for the first time must show a valid form of identification. That means if you previously voted in PA, but have since moved to a new precinct, you are still required to show ID at your new polling location.
If you believe someone at your polling place has improperly or erroneously requested ID, please call PA Dems’ Voter Assistance Hotline at 833-728-6837.
If you can’t make it to the polls on June 2, 2020, you may request an absentee ballot to vote by mail.
- Request an Absentee Ballot at www.votespa.com or at your county’s Board of Elections office by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, May 26th.
- Return your completed ballot to your county’s Board of Elections before polls close at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, June 2nd. Your county election officials must be in physical possession of your ballot at that time; a postmark before the deadline is not enough.
- In emergency situations—such as an unexpected illness or severe injury—you can request an Emergency Absentee Ballot by Friday, June 5th.
Click here to learn more about absentee eligibility and deadlines.
Americans living overseas and in the military who want to vote in their home state must request their ballot every election year even if they are already registered. Democrats Abroad provides assistance for service members, their families, and overseas citizens who want to vote.
If you believe your voting rights have been infringed—or you see someone else’s rights infringed—please stay at that polling location and call the PA Dems’ Voter Assistance Hotline at 833-728-6837.
Additional Information
If you need additional instruction, guidance, or resources related to voting in Pennsylvania, please visit the VotesPA Resource Center.
You may also call the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation at 717-787-5280 or 1-877-868-3772.