How to Vote in the 2023 Primary Election
Tuesday, May 16, is Election Day. Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.  May 16 is also the deadline for your mail-in ballot to be received or hand delivered in all counties by 8pm.
When we vote, we elect leaders who make decisions on issues that affect our lives. On May 16, we are casting our votes to determine the candidates for Mayor and address ballot measures.
You have the right & freedom to vote!
Call 866-OUR-VOTE if you have issues voting or have questions about your rights, and you’ll be connected to a nonpartisan trained volunteer who can help you.
Not sure if you are registered to vote or where you are registered?
Check here: https://vote.pa.gov/status. You can also see your polling place here!
Hang this election poster in your shelter or affordable housing program.
Track your mail-in ballot application
How do I fill out and turn in my mail-in ballot?
Make sure to still sign your ballot and seal it in the privacy envelope that it came with.
-
There is a step-by-step guide for completing and returning your mail-in ballot here: www.vote.pa.gov/Voting-in-PA/Pages/Mail-and-Absentee-Ballot.aspx
-
Tuesday, May 9, 5pm: Deadline to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot. Do not wait! Apply today to make sure you vote in time! Apply online at vote.pa.gov or call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).
-
MAIL YOUR BALLOT - VOTED BALLOTS must be RECEIVED by your county election office by 8 pm on May 16 - postmarks on that date are not enough!
-
DELIVER your ballot to your county election office as late as 8 pm on Election Day, May 16. In Philadelphia, you can deliver to City Hall, Room 142. You must deliver it yourself.
-
Look up where to return your ballot for all Pennsylvania counties. List of Philadelphia drop boxes is here and a map where you can find the closest location: https://www.phila.gov/voting.
-
Your mail-in ballot may be hand delivered by you or an authorized agent to your county election office as late as 8 p.m. on Election Day.
-
A note from the Philadelphia Election Commissioners: "Voters may only drop off their own ballot unless the voter is physically unable to personally submit their Absentee or Mail-in Ballot and has designated an agent to deliver their ballot and the completed forms are submitted with the ballot. The Designation and Certification of Agent Forms can be downloaded here.”
Helpful tip: If you're disabled (temporarily or permanently), you may have a trusted family member or friend pick up the application/ballot for you. You both must sign the Designation of Agent form. No printer, no problem. Carefully copy the words down on a sheet of paper for both of you to sign. Your friend or family member must show the form to the office staffer.
Additional Mail-in Ballot Tips
If you cannot hand deliver your ballot to the Board of Elections: You can still go your polling location. Bring your ballot and voter declaration envelope to your polling location, sign that you have not already voted, and vote in person.
What if your mail-in ballot doesn’t come in the mail?
Call the election office for your county. Explain your situation and request a “replacement ballot.” To get connected to your county, call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772). NOTE: The Philadelphia County Board of Elections is 215-686-3469. If this doesn't work, please call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to get assistance and/or file a complaint.
What if your mail-in ballot did not come in time?
Anyone who requested a mail ballot can vote in person on a provisional (paper) ballot. You won’t be allowed to vote on the city’s new voting machines, but you can vote by paper ballot and it will be counted later. You still have the right to vote!
I want to vote in person on May 16. Where is my polling site?
- If you wish to vote in-person, check https://vote.pa.gov/status to confirm polling place.
- Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You have the right and freedom to vote
- Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) if you have issues voting or have questions about your voting rights or polling place, and you’ll be connected to a nonpartisan trained volunteer who can help you
- Voter rights information
I didn't apply for a mail-in ballot and can't get to the polls. Do I have any other options?
**If you were planning to vote in-person but can no longer do so because you are quarantining or have experienced an emergency, click below for assistance**
For emergencies after the May 9 deadline: Any voter who has not applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot may apply for an emergency absentee ballot if they are unable to vote at the polls because they are ill, disabled, or traveling outside of their voting district. Helpful details located here.
What’s on the ballot?
- View Project HOME's 2023 Mayoral Voters Guide
- Committee of Seventy Voter Guide
- Ballotpedia Sample Ballot
How Do I Vote Safely at the Polls?
- While vote-by-mail is encouraged as the safest voting option this election cycle, we understand that voters may need or choose to vote at physical polling locations. If you are planning to or must vote in person, please make safety a priority. Continue to social distance and wear protective face masks and other necessary protective gear.
- To personally be prepared, you can bring your own pen to use, if necessary, for filling out any information. Bring any personal sanitizer to use while voting.
Who can vote in Pennsylvania?
Citizens over the age of 18 and who registered on or before May 1, 2023. You can vote if you are on probation or on parole, serving time for a misdemeanor, in jail awaiting trial, on house arrest, or have a previous felony.
Register to vote
Visit Vote for Homes for more information and voter education materials. Together we can work to ensure that all voices are heard and we can hold our elected leaders accountable.
