Voting in Pennsylvania
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Contents
- 1 Voter registration
- 2 Voting in elections
- 3 Absentee voting
- 4 Early voting
- 5 Convicted felons' voting rights
- 6 Election administration costs
- 7 Election agencies
- 8 Noteworthy events
- 9 Election policy ballot measures
- 10 Election policy legislation
- 11 Recent news
- 12 See also
- 13 External links
- 14 Footnotes
Voting policies are enacted and enforced primarily at the state level. These policies, which include voter identification requirements, early voting provisions, online voter registration systems, and more, dictate the conditions under which American citizens cast their ballots in their individual states.
This page includes the following:
- Voter registration details, including methods of registering and requirements
- Details on voting in elections, including identification requirements, poll times, and primary election type
- Absentee/mail-in voting rules[1]
- Early voting rules
- Convicted felons' voting rights
- Election administration costs report
- Election agencies list
- Election policy ballot measures list
- Election policy legislation list
Voter registration
To register to vote in Pennsylvania, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next election, a resident of the district in which he or she is registering for at least 30 days before the next election, and at least 18 years old by the day of the next election.[2] The deadline for registering to vote is 15 days before the election.[3] Registration can be done online, in person, or by mail. Prospective voters can register in person at the county voter registration office or at a number of state agencies, including Pennsylvania Department of Transportation centers. The Pennsylvania voter registration application is available online and can be mailed to the county voter registration office.[4]
Automatic registration
Pennsylvania does not practice automatic voter registration.
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Pennsylvania implemented an online voter registration system in 2015.[5] Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.
Same-day registration
Pennsylvania does not allow same-day voter registration.
Residency requirements
Prospective voters must be residents of the district in which they are registering for at least 30 days before the next election.
Verification of citizenship
Pennsylvania does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration.
Verifying your registration
The Pennsylvania Department of State allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.
Voting in elections
Voter identification
- See also: Voter identification laws by state
Pennsylvania does not generally require voters to present identification while voting in most cases. However, a voter who is voting at a polling place for the first time must present identification.[6]
Voters can present the following forms of identification. This list was current as of November 2019. Click here to ensure you have current information.
- Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card
- ID issued by any Pennsylvania agency
- ID issued by the U.S. government
- U.S. passport
- U.S. Armed Forces ID
- Student ID
- Employee ID
- Confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
- Non-photo ID issued by Pennsylvania
- Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. government
- Firearm permit
- Current utility bill
- Current bank statement
- Current paycheck
- Government check
Background
For additional background information, click "[Show more]" below.
A bill requiring all Pennsylvania voters to present photo identification was signed into law by Governor Tom Corbett (R) in March 2012. On July 25, 2012, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court heard a challenge against the law from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other voting rights groups. On August 16, 2012, Judge Robert Simpson dismissed the challenge.
Supporters and opponents next argued the validity of the voter ID law before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on September 13, 2012. On September 18, 2012, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a 4-2 per curiam (unsigned) decision that sent the case back to the trial court. The state's high court asked the trial court "to ensure there is 'liberal access' to new voting-only IDs and there will be 'no disenfranchisement' of voters on Nov. 6."
In response, a judge ruled that the Pennsylvania voter ID law could remain intact for the 2012 general election. However, an injunction permitted those without IDs to cast a ballot. The state's voter ID law was also not enforced for the May 2013 primary election.
On January 17, 2014, Judge Bernard McGinley of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court struck down the requirement that all voters must present photo identification, stating that this part of the law was unconstitutional because it lacked a way to give voters liberal access to voter photo IDs. These photo IDs had to be obtained through department of transportation licensing centers, of which there were 71 across the state at the time, some with limited hours. Judge McGinley argued that this was an inconvenience to voters and could disenfranchise them. The ruling did not strike down the entire law, but it did prohibit the state from enforcing the photo ID requirement.
On January 27, 2014, lawyers on behalf of Corbett filed a request that McGinley reconsider his ruling to strike down the voter ID requirement. McGinley denied the request. On May 8, 2014, Corbett announced that he would not appeal the court ruling and would instead work with the Pennsylvania State Legislature to work on changes to the original law.
As of April 2021, 35 states enforced (or were scheduled to begin enforcing) voter identification requirements. A total of 21 states required voters to present photo identification at the polls; the remainder accepted other forms of identification. Valid forms of identification differ by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.[7][8]
Poll times
- See also: State poll opening and closing times
In Pennsylvania, all polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[9]
Primary election type
- See also: Primary elections in Pennsylvania
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Pennsylvania utilizes a closed primary process. Voters are required to register with a political party to vote in the primary election.[10][11][12]
Absentee voting
- See also: Absentee voting
All Pennsylvania voters are eligible to cast absentee ballots. Voters can apply for absentee ballots beginning 50 days prior to any special, primary, or general election. Also, voters can request that they be put on a permanent list to automatically receive absentee ballot applications in each election.[13][14]
Early voting
- See also: Early voting
Pennsylvania permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.
As of April 2021, 38 states and the District of Columbia permitted early voting. Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on election day. States that do not permit early voting still permit some or all citizens to vote early by mail—often known as absentee voting. Some states allow no-excuse absentee voting, while others require an excuse. States that allow in-person absentee voting without an excuse are counted among early voting states. Click here for early voting laws by state.[15]
Convicted felons' voting rights
- See also: Voting rights for convicted felons
In Pennsylvania, individuals convicted of a felony automatically regain their voting rights upon completion of their incarceration, with the exception of violations of the Pennsylvania Election Code, which bar an individual from voting for four years after conviction for the offense.
Voting rights for convicted felons vary from state to state. In the majority of states, convicted felons cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.
Election administration costs
National Conference of State Legislatures report, 2018
On February 14, 2018, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) released a report on the costs of election administration in the states: "The Price of Democracy: Splitting the Bill for Elections." The report's authors noted that "no one knows how much [states] spend on elections ... [because] good research on election costs is slim." Generally, local units of government (most often counties, but sometimes cities and towns) are primarily responsible for election administration costs, though states and the federal government may also contribute. The report identified the states listed in the table below as assuming financial responsibility for at least some aspects of election administration.[16]
To access the complete NCSL report, click here.
| Election administration costs assumed by state | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| State pays all expenses for federal or state elections | State bears a portion of election costs | State pays for statewide special elections or statewide elections that don’t coincide with regularly scheduled elections | State pays for primary elections (statewide, presidential, or both) |
| Alaska Delaware |
Alabama Colorado Hawaii Kentucky Louisiana Rhode Island |
Arkansas Florida Iowa Michigan Missouri New Jersey North Dakota Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Tennessee Washington West Virginia |
Arizona Arkansas Idaho Kansas Michigan Minnesota Missouri South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington |
| Note: If a state is not listed above, it was not included in the report. Source: National Conference of State Legislatures, "The Price of Democracy: Splitting the Bill for Elections," February 14, 2018 | |||
Election agencies
- See also: State election agencies
Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Pennsylvania can contact the following state and federal agencies.
Pennsylvania Secretary of State; Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation
- 210 N. Office Building
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120-0060
- Phone: 717-787-5280
- Website: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/
- Email: RA-elections@state.pa.us
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
- 1335 East West Highway, Suite 4300
- Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
- Telephone: 866-747-1471
Noteworthy events
2019
On October 31, 2019, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf (D) signed SB421, an omnibus election law bill, into law. The law provided for the following changes to the state's electoral system:[13]
- All voters became eligible to cast absentee ballots, effective with the April 28, 2020, primary election.
- The voter registration deadline was extended from the 30th day preceding an election to the 15th day preceding an election.
- Straight-ticket voting, wherein a voter can select one party's entire slate of candidates for every office by making a single mark on the ballot, was eliminated.
Upon signing the bill, Wolf said, "For too long Pennsylvania has made it too hard for the citizens to actually fully participate in our democracy. These changes will make it easier for people to vote, participate in our democracy, actually to take care of the most fundamental responsibility of citizenship: voting."[13]
The bill cleared the state House on Oct. 29 by a vote of 138-61. In the House, 105 Republicans and 33 Democrats voted in favor of the bill. The Senate followed suit the same day, approving the bill by a vote of 35-14, with 27 Republicans and eight Democrats voting in favor. State Rep. Malcom Kenyatta (D), who voted against the bill, took issue with the provision eliminating straight-ticket voting: "We’re making this process more difficult. We’re ignoring the cultural concerns of people who have voted in that way for years and years and years. And we’re doing it all at a time when we are changing the entire voting system, which is going to lead to lines lead to delays – and, actually, maybe lead to people not exercising their right to vote."[17]
2018
On February 9, 2018, Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres issued a directive to county election officials stipulating that all voting equipment purchased thereafter provide for a paper record of all votes cast. The directive did not mandate that counties obtain new equipment, but it did establish specifications for new equipment that counties could purchase should they opt to replace their existing voting systems. In a press release, Torres said, "This directive will ensure that the next generation of the commonwealth’s voting systems conforms to enhanced standards of resiliency, auditability and security. The current voting equipment in counties works and can be audited. But new voting machines with paper ballots or voter-verifiable paper backup will improve auditability and augment security."[18][19]
On April 12, 2018, Torres issued another directive to county election administrators instructing them to ensure that all voting machines, regardless of purchase date, provide for a paper record of all votes cast. Torres set a deadline of the end of 2019 for counties to comply with the directive. Torres said, "We want to bring about the system upgrades so Pennsylvania voters are voting on the most secure and auditable equipment as promptly and feasibly as possible." According to Verified Voting, as of November 2016, Pennsylvania was one of seven states in which both paper ballot and direct recording electronic (DRE) systems without paper trails were used. The other six states were Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. For more information about the voting equipment used in the United States, see this article.[18][19][20][21][22]
Election policy ballot measures
Ballotpedia has tracked the following ballot measures relating to election and campaign policy in Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania Appointed Judges and Retention Elections Amendment (May 1969)
- Pennsylvania Eliminate Separate Ballot Requirement for Judicial Retention Elections Amendment (2022)
- Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Selection Amendment (2022)
- Pennsylvania Question 1, Election of the Attorney General Amendment (May 1978)
- Pennsylvania Question 1, State Senate Elections Following Redistricting Amendment (May 2001)
- Pennsylvania Question 2, State Judicial Vacancies Amendment (May 1978)
- Pennsylvania Question 3, In-State Address Change and Voting Location Amendment (1959)
- Pennsylvania Question 5, Joint Election of Governor and Lieutenant Governor Amendment (May 1967)
- Pennsylvania Question 6, Voter Residency Requirements and Absentee Voting Amendment (May 1967)
Election policy legislation
The following is a list of recent election bills that have been introduced in or passed by the Pennsylvania state legislature. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.
Note: Due to the nature of the sorting process used to generate this list, some results may not be relevant to the topic. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation pertaining to this topic has been introduced in the legislature recently.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Pennsylvania voting. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
Elections in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania elections, 2022
- Pennsylvania elections, 2021
- Pennsylvania elections, 2020
- Pennsylvania elections, 2019
- Pennsylvania elections, 2018
- Pennsylvania elections, 2017
- Pennsylvania elections, 2016
- Pennsylvania elections, 2015
- Pennsylvania elections, 2014
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ We use the term "absentee/mail-in voting" to describe systems in which requests or applications are required. We use the term "all-mail voting" to denote systems where the ballots themselves are sent automatically to all voters. We use the hyphenate term for absentee voting because some states use “mail voting” (or a similar alternative) to describe what has traditionally been called "absentee voting."
- ↑ VotesPA, “Voter Registation Requirements,” accessed October 5, 2019
- ↑ VotesPA, “Register to Vote,” accessed October 5, 2019
- ↑ VotesPA, “How and Where to Register to Vote,” accessed October 5, 2019
- ↑ The Patriot-News, “Thousands take advantage of new online voter registration in Pennsylvania,” September 2, 2015
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "First Time Voters," accessed December 13, 2019
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Voter Identification Requirements|Voter ID Laws," June 5, 2017
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Do I need an ID to vote? A look at the laws in all 50 states," October 27, 2014
- ↑ VotesPA, “Voting at a Polling Place,” accessed October 17, 2019
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures Website, "State Primary Election Types," accessed January 6, 2014
- ↑ Fair Vote, "Congressional and Presidential Primaries: Open, Closed, Semi-Closed, and 'Top Two,'" accessed January 6, 2014
- ↑ Ballotpedia research conducted December 26, 2013, through January 3, 2014, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 PennLive, "Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf signs historic election reform bill into law," October 31, 2019
- ↑ Pennsylvania.gov, “Voting in Pennsylvania,” accessed October 1, 2019
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Laws Governing Early Voting," August 2, 2019
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "The Price of Democracy: Splitting the Bill for Elections," February 14, 2018
- ↑ WHYY, "Automatic straight-ticket voting divides Democrats in statehouse election reform talks," October 23, 2019
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Pennsylvania Pressroom, "Wolf Administration Directs that New Voting Systems in the Commonwealth Provide Paper Record," February 9, 2018
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Associated Press, "Pennsylvania to require voting machines with paper backup," February 9, 2018
- ↑ Verified Voting, "The Verifier - Polling Place Equipment - November 2018," accessed February 14, 2018
- ↑ BuzzFeed News, "Pennsylvania Will Eliminate Paperless Voting Machines In Time For The 2020 Election," April 12, 2018
- ↑ PA.gov, "Department of State Tells Counties to Have New Voting Systems in Place by End of 2019," April 12, 2018
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