What you need to know ahead of the Pennsylvania Primary election on May 19
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Pennsylvania's primary election is on Tuesday, May 19.
During the primary, Democratic and Republican voters will select the candidates they want to represent their parties during the midterm elections on November 3.
Here is everything voters need to know before heading to the polls.
When is Pennsylvania's primary election?
The primary election is on Tuesday, May 19.
When is the deadline to register to vote?
The deadline to register was on Monday, May 4.
Voters must be registered with a specific party to vote for their candidates.
To check your voter registration status, CLICK HERE.
When are the polls open?
Polls for the Pennsylvania primary election will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you will still be allowed to vote.
Where do I go to vote?
To find your polling place, CLICK HERE.
When you arrive, you will check in with a poll worker.
Then, you will either hand-mark a paper ballot or cast your vote on a machine.
To find out which kind of voting system your county's polling place has, CLICK HERE.
Can I vote through mail-in ballot?
Yes, registered voters can send in mail-in ballots.
The last day to request your mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is May 12. To apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot, CLICK HERE.
Completed ballots must be received by the county election office before 8 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots cannot be returned in person at polling places on Election Day.
After mailing in your ballot, you can track the status here.
You can also drop your mail-in ballot off at your county's election office, satellite election office, or at a drop-box location.
For a list of locations in your county, CLICK HERE.
All military or overseas absentee ballots must be received by the county election office by 11:59 p.m. on May 18.
Do I need to bring anything to vote?
Most voters won't need to bring anything, as they will already be on a master list for their polling place.
However, Pennsylvania law requires first-time voters or those who are new to their polling place to show ID the first time they vote there.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID card
- ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
- ID issued by the U.S. Government
- U.S. passport
- U.S. Armed Forces ID
- Student ID (including an electronic/digital student ID card)
- Employee ID
If you do not have a photo ID, you can use one of the following as long as it includes your name and address:
- Confirmation issued by the county voter registration office, such as a voter registration card.
- Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
- Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
- Firearm permit
- Current utility bill
- Current bank statement
- Paycheck
- Government check
Can I see who will be on the ballot ahead of time?
Yes. You can view a sample ballot for your county before Election Day.
Sample ballots for your county:
