Voting by Mail

Voting by Mail

The Life of a Ballot

Walk through the life of a mail-in ballot, from when it's received at home, to Election Day processing and beyond!

 

 

In Pennsylvania you have two options for mail ballots:

  • Mail-in ballot – Any qualified voter may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason.
  • Absentee ballot – If you plan to be out of the municipality on Election Day or if you have a disability or illness that prevents you from going to your polling place on Election Day, you can request this ballot type, which requires you to list a reason for your ballot.

You can apply online for a mail-in or absentee ballot at PA Voter Services.  Last day to apply before the November General Election is October 29.

 

How to Complete and Return Your Mail Ballot

Step 1:  Mark Your Ballot

election ballot with hand marking the ballot with a pen

  • Read the instructions carefully.
  • Mark your ballot in black or blue ink.
  • Be sure to complete the front and back.

 

Step 2: Place Your Ballot in the Yellow “Official Election Ballot” Envelope 

Yellow envelope labeled Official Election ballot

  • Seal the envelope. This keeps your ballot secret. 
  • Do Not write your name, sign, or put any other type of mark on this envelope.

 

 

Step 3:  Put the Yellow “Official Election Ballot” Envelope image shows yellow official election ballot envelope inserting into the return envelope
in the Return Envelope

  • Insert the yellow Official Election Ballot envelope (with your ballot inside) into the pre-addressed return envelope.
  • Seal the return envelope

 

 


 

 

 


Step 4:  Sign and date the return envelope

Sign and date above a graphic of hand with pencil. graphic is pointing to box for signature and date

  • Sign your name inside the box. 
  • Put today’s date – not your birthdate.

If you have an illness or disability that prevents you from signing, make a mark inside the box and have your witness complete the witness section

Additional information on completing your mail ballot can be found at votepa.gov mail ballot steps

Returning Your Mail Ballot

YOUR BALLOT MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY ELECTION BOARD BY 8PM ON ELECTION DAY. 

You can mail your ballot.

  • Using the return envelope supplied with your ballot, make sure you use the proper postage (if needed) and that it arrives to your county election board by 8 pm on Election Day. Postmarks do not count. If your ballot is not received by the county election board by 8 pm on Election Day, it will not be counted

You can hand-deliver your ballot before 8 pm on Election Day to your:

  • county election office or
  • other officially designated site
  • at one of the 11 drop-boxes for mail ballots located in Bucks County.

Please be advised that you are only allowed to return your own ballot, unless it is accompanied by an Authorized Designated Agent Form.

Drop Box Locations

The location of Drop Boxes to return absentee and mail-in ballots are available HERE on the Board of Elections website..  Remember you are only allowed to return your own ballot, unless it is accompanied by an Authorized Designated Agent Form.

On-Demand Mail Ballot

Ballots for On-Demand Absentee and Mail-in voting are available 3-5 weeks before the election – please call or check the Bucks County Board of Elections website to confirm availability.   An On-Demand ballot is not "early voting".  On-Demand ballots are absentee/mail-in ballots requested in-person at a County office and provided immediately rather than through the mail.

For more information on On-Demand Absentee/Mail-in Ballots visit the Bucks County Board of Elections Vote-by-Mail webpage.