What you need to know ahead of the 2023 Pa. primary election

What are the deadlines I need to know?

Below are deadlines specific to voting in the May primary.

• Deadline to register to vote: Monday, May 1
• Deadline to request mail or absentee ballot: 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9
• Deadline to return mail ballot: 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16 (postmarks do not count)
• Deadline to submit military and overseas absentee ballots: 11:59 p.m. on May 15
• Deadline for county to receive military and overseas absentee ballots: Tuesday, May 23

Can I still register to vote?

The deadline for Pennsylvanians to register to vote for the primary election was May 1. Pennsylvanians 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 will be at least 18 on or before Election Day.

People who are incarcerated for felonies can’t vote under state law. 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?

The deadline to request a mail or absentee ballot was 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9.

Here’s everything you need to know about filling out and returning your mail ballot.

Can I vote early in person?

The last day to vote early in person was Tuesday, May 9.

What does a ‘closed primary’ mean?

Pennsylvania has a closed primary system, which means that only Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party’s nominees to run in the Nov. 7 general election.

However, people who don’t belong to the two major parties can still vote on local ballot questions.

When must mail ballots be received?

Completed mail 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, voters can drop 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 until Tuesday, May 9. Voters can opt for an all-in-one visit to their county election office, where they can apply for a mail ballot, have an election official verify their eligibility, and cast their ballot.

Here’s everything you need to know about filling out and returning your mail ballot.

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.

Once announced, the drop-off locations for Bucks, Chesco, Delco, Montco, and Philly can be found online. Billy Penn also has a map of drop boxes across Philadelphia.

How will I know if my mail ballot was processed?

Voters can check the status of their mail ballot online.

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 place online.

Where is my polling place?

Voters can find their polling place online.

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

Voters who receive an absentee or mail ballot can opt to vote in person on Election Day. To do so, voters must bring their ballot and the pre-addressed outer return envelope to be voided. After they surrender their ballot and envelope 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 place. The provisional ballot will be reviewed by the county board of elections post-Election Day to determine whether it will be counted.

Who is on the ballot?

In Pennsylvania, voters will weigh in on candidates for the state Supreme Court and intermediate appellate courts.

Here are complete guides to the candidates for state Supreme Court (leer en español) and candidates for Commonwealth and Superior Courts (leer en español).

In Philadelphia, voters will weigh in on races with massive implications for the city’s future. For a voter cheat sheet, check out Billy Penn’s Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2023 primary election.

A crowded field of candidates is vying to succeed Mayor Jim Kenney. Here’s who’s running to become Philly’s next mayor. Unsure who will get your vote? Find out which candidates best match your positions on the issues using Billy Penn’s Meet Your Mayor quiz.

On City Council, every seat is up for grabs, including seven at-large seats and 10 district-level seats. Here’s a breakdown of the people running for City Council.

A number of candidates are running to become Philly’s fiscal watchdog after former City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart resigned to run for mayor. Here’s a breakdown of controller hopefuls.

Philadelphia voters will also weigh in on a number of ballot questions:

1. Should Philly be able to stash more cash for a ‘rainy day’?
2. Should Philly change the city charter to force a focus on workforce and job training?
3. Should the city loosen requirements for police oversight board staff to provide more flexibility in hiring?
4. Should Philly install a new cabinet-level public safety director?

Voters can look up a sample ballot based on their address.

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