FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING
- What if I requested a mail-in or absentee ballot but I didn't receive a ballot, lost my ballot, made an error on my ballot, or changed my mind and I want to vote in-person?
- How do I know if my mail ballot was accepted and counted?
- Why are there two envelopes with my mail-in ballot?
- What if I miss the application deadline for a mail ballot?
- Where do I return my mail ballot?
- Where are the ballot drop boxes in Bucks County?
- What do I need to take to the polls?
- What if I go to the wrong polling place?
- I’m in the right polling place but my name is not in the poll book, can I still vote?
- Can formerly incarcerated persons vote?
- Can I vote early, in person?
What if I requested a mail-in or absentee ballot but I didn't receive a ballot, lost my ballot, made an error on my ballot, or changed my mind and I want to vote in-person?
If you did not return your mail-in or absentee ballot and you want to vote in person, you have two options:
- Bring your ballot and both the secrecy envelope and the pre-addressed outer return envelope to your polling place to be voided. After you surrender your ballot and envelopes and sign a declaration, you can then vote a regular ballot.
- If you can’t surrender your ballot and return envelope, you can only vote by provisional ballot at your polling place. Your county election board will then verify that you did not vote by mail before counting your provisional ballot.
How do I know if my mail ballot was accepted and counted?
A barcode on the outside mailing envelope links your ballot to your application. If you signed up for “track my ballot” when you applied for your mail-in ballot, you will be notified when your ballot is received. Or you can check on Vote411 to confirm that it has been received. If you forgot to sign or date your mailing envelope, the Board of Elections can contact you to give you the chance to correct that oversight.
Why are there two envelopes with my mail-in ballot?
The smaller yellow secrecy envelope marked "Official Election Ballot" is intended to protect the anonymity of your vote. After you fill out your ballot, you must place it in the secrecy envelope and seal it. The PA Supreme Court has ruled that absentee and mail-in ballots that are missing the Secrecy envelope cannot be counted.
Do not make any marks on this envelope. If you fail to place and seal your ballot in this envelope or if you make marks on this envelope, your ballot will not be counted.
The second, larger envelope is the mailing and declaration envelope. You must use it, even if you are dropping your ballot off at a drop box. Place your secrecy envelope (with your ballot inside) into the mailing and declaration envelope. You must seal it and sign and date the declaration before you can return your ballot.
Both of these envelopes must be used in order for your vote to count.
What if I miss the application deadline for a mail ballot?
If you have an emergency (such as an unexpected illness or disability or last-minute absence from your municipality) you may still be able to get a ballot after the deadline. Find information about how to get an emergency absentee ballot.
The deadline to submit your Emergency Absentee Ballot Application to the County Election Board is 8 pm on Election Day.
Where do I return my mail ballot?
Return your mail ballot right away. You can return your mail ballot by mail. The return envelope is postage paid. You can return your mail ballot in person directly to the Board of Elections office or to one of the secure drop boxes that are placed throughout the county.
Ballots must be received by your county election board before 8 pm on Election Day.
Please be advised that you are only allowed to return your own ballot, unless it is accompanied by an Authorized Designated Agent Form.
Where are the ballot drop boxes in Bucks County?
The locations and hours of operation for absentee/mail-in ballot drop boxes can be found here.
An interactive map of polling locations and drop boxes can be accessed here.
Please be advised that you are only allowed to return your own ballot, unless it is accompanied by an Authorized Designated Agent Form.
What do I need to take to the polls?
If you've voted at your polling place before, you don't need to show ID to vote. If you're a first-time voter, or if you moved within Pennsylvania and are voting for the first time at a new polling place, you must show ID to vote. Click here for voter ID requirements.
What if I go to the wrong polling place?
You must go to your correct polling place to vote. Ask one of the Election Officials to help you find your correct poll location. However, if you believe you are eligible to vote at that polling place, you may vote using a provisional ballot.
I’m in the right polling place but my name is not in the poll book, can I still vote?
Yes. If this happens, you have the right to vote using a provisional ballot.
Can formerly incarcerated persons vote?
Even if you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or are in pretrial detention you may be able to vote.
You can register and vote if you:
- Are a pretrial detainee, confined in a penal institution awaiting trial on charges of a felony or a misdemeanor.
- Were ever convicted of a misdemeanor.
- Got released or will get released by the date of the next election from a correctional facility or halfway house. This must be upon completion of the term of incarceration for conviction of a misdemeanor or a felony.
- Are on probation or released on parole. This includes parolees who are living in a halfway house.
- Are under house arrest (home confinement). If this is you, you can vote no matter your conviction status or the status of the conditions of confinement.
For more information visit https://www.vote.pa.gov felon misdeameanor
Registered voters can request an "On-Demand" Absentee/Mail-in Ballot during regular office hours at the Board of Elections office in Doylestown, and the two satellite offices in Quakertown and Levittown. Click here for information for On-Demand mail ballots.
