Check here for any questions or concerns you may have about anything voting or election related. If you can't find the answer here, the Delaware County Voter Registration Department stands ready to assist. You can call (610-891-4659) or visit (Government Center Building, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063) from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Email (voterreg@co.delaware.pa.us) is good any time.
How can I check if I am registered to vote?
Using either your name or Driver’s License/PennDOT ID, you can check online. If you are still unsure, you can also call Delaware County’s Voter Registration Office at (610) 891-4659).
If you are not registered and would like to be, you can apply either online or by mailing in a completed application.
How do I change my party, address, name on my registration?
I am a registered independent – can I vote in primaries?
That’s a mixed answer – for candidates, no. PA is a closed primary state meaning only Democrats can vote for Democrats and Republicans can vote for Republicans in the primary.
However! In special elections and in primaries where questions are on the ballot, independents can vote! In reality, it’s very important for independents to vote on ballot questions because the outcome affects things like disaster emergency declarations, racial and ethnic equality, and funding for fire departments and ems programs (questions in May 2021).
May 2023 may be one of the most important primaries for all Pennsylvanians since possible constitutional amendments affecting women and access to healthcare could be on the ballot as questions. Stay tuned for more information as we approach May 2023.
I got into a little legal trouble – can I still register and vote?
You can register and vote if you:
Are a pretrial detainee, confined in a penal institution awaiting trial on charges of a felony or a misdemeanor.
Were ever convicted of a misdemeanor.
Got released or will get released by the date of the next election from a correctional facility or halfway house. This must be upon completion of the term of incarceration for conviction of a misdemeanor or a felony.
Are on probation or released on parole. This includes parolees who are living in a halfway house.
Are under house arrest (home confinement). If this is you, you can vote no matter your conviction status or the status of the conditions of confinement.
You cannot register and vote if you:
Are currently confined in a penal institution for conviction of a felony and will not get released from confinement until after the next election. This is even if you are also incarcerated for one or more misdemeanor offenses.
Are in a halfway house or other alternative correctional facility on pre-release status for conviction of a felony and you will not get released until after the date of the next election.
Got convicted of violating any provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code within the last four years.
Do I need to show ID at the polls?
No. Unless it’s your first time voting at a new polling place. If it’s your first time voting at a new location, you must bring one of the approved forms of identification (which does not need to be a photo ID):
- 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
- Employee ID
- Confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
- Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
- Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
- Firearm permit
- Current utility bill
- Current bank statement
- Current paycheck
- Government check
I changed my mind about voting by mail – what should I do?
If you did not receive or cast your mail ballot, you may request to vote a provisional ballot at your polling place on Election Day. If you have your mail in ballot, please, bring it with you to your polling place so it can be disposed of properly. After county election officials verify that you did not vote by mail, they will count your provisional ballot.
I need help with various voting questions or have language access issues – who do I call?
Call the Department of State’s election hotline at 1-877-VOTES-PA for assistance. Telephone interpreters are available.
Is there an accessible voting system at my polling place?
Every polling place in Pennsylvania must have at least one accessible voting system. Sometimes this is the general voting system used by all voters. It may be a separate system with features such as audio, tactile keys and other assistive technology.
May I bring someone to help me vote?
If you need help voting due to a disability, you may bring a person of your choice to assist you in the voting process. There are a few restrictions on who to bring, including that you may not choose a person who is:
- A Judge of Elections
- Your Union Representative
- Your Employer
The first time you have someone help you vote, the election officials at your polling place will ask you to complete and sign a form called a Declaration of Need of Assistance. After the first time, your registration record will note that you completed the form.
Absentee vs. Mail in Voting – What’s the difference?
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 still requires you to list a reason for your ballot.
In order to request either ballot type, you must be registered to vote. Check Your Registration Status to review your registration information.
Can someone else return my ballot for me?
No. The only exceptions are if you are a voter with a disability and have designated someone, in writing, to deliver your ballot, or if you need an emergency absentee ballot.
I changed my mind about voting by mail – what should I do?
If you did not receive or cast your mail ballot, you may request to vote a provisional ballot at your polling place on Election Day. If you have your mail in ballot, please, bring it with you to your polling place so it can be disposed of properly. After county election officials verify that you did not vote by mail, they will count your provisional ballot.
I voted by mail last election. I don’t remember if I checked the box to automatically receive a mail-in ballot – how can I check?
You can search for the status of your ballot online.
If I voted by mail in the May primary, will I also receive a mail-in ballot for the November general election?
If you checked the box on your application for the primary, you will be sent a ballot for November’s election. Also, you should be receiving an email telling you that you do not have to re-apply and your ballot will be sent. If you’re still not certain, you can track your ballot online.
Where is my mail in or absentee ballot?
- Check the status of your ballot online.
- Contact your county election office.
- If you did not receive or cast your mail ballot, you may request to vote a provisional ballot at your polling place on Election Day. After county election officials verify that you did not vote by mail, they will count your provisional ballot.