Pennsylvania voters will head to the polls Tuesday, May 19, for the 2026 primary election, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide. Voters who are in line by 8 p.m. are able to cast a ballot.
The deadlines to register to vote and apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot have already passed. The last day to register before the primary was May 4, and the last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot was May 12.
Pennsylvania uses a closed primary system. That means registered Democrats may vote for Democratic candidates, and registered Republicans may vote for Republican candidates. Voters who are not registered with either party generally cannot vote for party nominees in the primary, but all registered voters may be able to vote if their ballot includes a constitutional amendment, ballot question or special election in their district.
Voters planning to cast a ballot in person should check their polling place before heading out, especially if they have recently moved or have not voted in a while. First-time voters at a new polling place must bring an approved form of identification. Acceptable photo IDs include a Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, student ID or employee ID. Voters without photo ID may use an approved non-photo ID that includes their name and address, such as a voter registration card, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check.
For voters using mail-in or absentee ballots, the ballot must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. A postmark by that time is not enough. Voters should also make sure the ballot is placed inside the yellow secrecy envelope, then sealed inside the outer return envelope with the voter declaration signed and dated. Missing envelope steps can prevent a ballot from being counted.
Anyone who requested a mail ballot but now wants to vote in person has options, as long as they have not already returned the mail ballot. Voters may bring their ballot and pre-addressed outer return envelope to the polling place to be voided, then vote a regular ballot. Those who do not surrender the ballot and envelope may vote by provisional ballot while the county verifies they did not already vote by mail.
Pennsylvania voters who have a last-minute emergency, such as an unexpected illness, disability or absence from their municipality, may still be able to request an emergency absentee ballot. Those applications can be submitted to the county election office before 8 p.m. on Election Day, and the completed emergency absentee ballot is also due by 8 p.m.
Voters can check their registration status, find their polling place, track a mail ballot or contact their county election office through Pennsylvania’s official voting website. The Department of State also operates a year-round voter hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA for voters who need information or run into problems.