What you need to know ahead of the 2024 Pa. general election

What are the deadlines I need to know?

Below are deadlines specific to voting in Pennsylvania’s 2024 general election.

• Deadline to register to vote: Monday, Oct. 21
• Deadline to apply for a mail or absentee ballot: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29
• Deadline to return mail or absentee ballot: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 (postmarks do not count)
• General Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5

Can I still register to vote?

The deadline for Pennsylvanians to register to vote for the general election was Monday, Oct 21. Residents can find out whether they are registered to vote online.

Who can register to vote?

Anyone can register to vote, so long as they will have been a U.S. citizen for at least 30 days before the election, are a resident of Pennsylvania and are going to be at least 18 on or before Election Day.

Under state law, people who are incarcerated for felonies can’t vote. However, people who are serving time for lesser charges or are out on probation, parole or house arrest are eligible.

Can I still apply for a mail or absentee ballot?

Completed mail or absentee ballot applications must have been received by county boards of elections by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Bucks County voters now have until 5 p.m. Friday to request a mail ballot in person. A judge extended the deadline after Republicans filed a lawsuit challenging county voting officials who turned away voters in line for applications before the original deadline.

Can I vote early in person?

Pennsylvanians can also vote early in person by mail ballot at their county board of elections offices through 8 p.m. on Election Day, as long as they have applied for a mail ballot before the deadline. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot in person was 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29

Where can I drop off my mail ballot?

For those who choose to vote by mail, counties are providing secure drop-box locations for ballots.

Official mail ballot drop box locations for Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia County can be found online.

When must mail or absentee ballots be received?

Completed mail or absentee ballots must be received by county boards of elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count.

If there isn’t enough time to mail the ballot, a voter can drop it off in person at their county elections office or, if available, at a county drop box.

Pennsylvanians can also vote early in person by mail ballot through 8 p.m. on Election Day, as long as they apply for a mail ballot before the deadline. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot in person was 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29

Here’s what you need to know to fill out and return your mail ballot in Pennsylvania.

How will I know if my mail ballot was processed?

Voters can check the status of their mail ballots online.

The Supreme Court ruled Friday that Pennsylvania must process thousands of provisional ballots cast by voters whose mail-in ballots were rejected, rejecting a Republican challenge.

What if I want to vote in person?

Pennsylvanians who would prefer to vote the old-fashioned way can do so in person on Election Day at the polls, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can find their polling places online.

Where is my polling place?

Voters can find their polling places online.

What if I received an absentee or mail ballot but want to vote in person?

Voters who receive absentee or mail ballots can opt to vote in person on Election Day. To do so, voters must bring their ballots and the pre-addressed outer return envelopes to be voided. After they surrender their ballots and envelopes and sign a declaration, they can vote using a regular ballot.

What happens if I request a mail ballot and don’t receive it?

Voters who request a mail ballot but don’t receive it, or don’t have it to surrender, may vote by provisional ballot at their polling places. The provisional ballots will be reviewed by the county board of elections post–Election Day to determine whether they will be counted.

Who is on the ballot?

Here’s a look at the major races, and who’s running for what:

President

For Democrats, Pennsylvania is considered a must-win to help Democrats remain in the White House.

• Democratic Party
  • Kamala Harris
• Republican Party
  • Donald Trump
• Libertarian Party
  • Chase Oliver
• Green Party
  • Jill Stein

Attorney general

The attorney general is the state’s chief law enforcement official. They oversee hundreds of lawyers who prosecute cases — criminal and some civil — on behalf of state agencies and enforce consumer protection laws.

Attorney General Michelle Henry, who took over after Josh Shapiro left the AG’s office for the governorship, is not running.

• Democratic Party
  • Eugene DePasquale, former state auditor general and U.S. House candidate
• Republican Party
  • Dave Sunday, York County district attorney
• Libertarian Party
  • Robert Cowburn
• Green Party
  • Richard Weiss
• Constitution Party
  • Justin Magill
• Forward Party
  • Eric Settle

State treasurer

The state treasurer manages tax revenues and other funds, pays state employees, makes disbursements for state agencies, oversees investments, manages a college savings program and runs other programs.

• Democratic Party
  • Erin McClelland, former addiction program director
• Republican Party
  • Stacy Garrity (incumbent)
• Constitution Party
  • Troy Bowman
• Forward Party
  • Chris Foster
• Libertarian Party
  • Nickolas Ciesielski

Auditor general

The auditor is the state’s fiscal watchdog, conducting financial audits of state agencies, local governments, school districts, public pension programs and certain universities. The auditor also occasionally conducts performance audits of prisons and mental health centers.

• Democratic Party
  • Malcolm Kenyatta, state representative for the 181st district (Philadelphia)
• Republican Party
  • Timothy DeFoor (incumbent)
• American Solidarity Party
  • Eric Anton
• Constitution Party
  • Alan Goodrich
• Libertarian Party
  • Reece Smith

U.S. Senate

As U.S. Sen. Bob Casey runs for a fourth term, Democrats are trying to hold onto their narrow majority.

• Democratic Party
  • Bob Casey (incumbent)
• Republican Party
  • David McCormick
• Constitution Party
  • Marty Selker
• Green Party
  • Leila Hazou
• Libertarian Party
  • John Thomas

Pa. state Senate

U.S. House

Voters will elect 17 candidates from the state’s 17 U.S. House districts to serve as representatives of Congress.

Not sure which U.S. House district you’re in? Enter your address to find out. Races for the districts below are within the Greater Philadelphia area:

Pa. state House

Voters will elect candidates for all 203 seats in the Pennsylvania state House.

A majority of the state’s legislative races are non-competitive, meaning a handful of close races across the commonwealth will decide which party controls the state House.

In 2022, a new legislative map helped the Democrats snatch control of the state House for the first time in more than a decade. They now hold a one-seat majority.

Not sure which Pa. state House district you’re in? Enter your address to find out. Races for the districts below are within the Greater Philadelphia area:

Will there be ballot questions?

Voters across the state will have the chance to weigh in on various ballot measures. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

• Bucks County
  • Lower Makefield Township open space question
  • West Rockhill Township Holiday House pool complex question
• Chester County
  • New Garden Township tax increase to fund Kennett Library question
  • East Whiteland Township open space question
  • Uwchlan Township open space question
• Delaware County
  • Upland Borough liquor license question

Voter info & resources

• Check to see if you are registered to vote
• Register to vote
• View a sample ballot based on your address
• Sign up to become a poll worker
• Find your polling place
• Apply for a mail ballot
• Apply for an absentee ballot
• Check the status of your mail or absentee ballot

Editor’s note: WHYY News’ Emily Neil and Meir Rinde, of WHYY’s Billy Penn, contributed reporting.