The Pennsylvania municipal election is just around the corner, and that means the period to register to vote ends soon.

The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election is Oct. 20.

Voters will help decide who will win seats on the state appellate courts, local judicial positions, municipal boards and councils, school boards and some county row offices.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Who can vote

To be eligible to vote, an individual must be a U.S. citizen for at least one month before the election, a resident of the election district in which the individual plans to vote for at least 30 days before the election and at least 18 years old on or before the date of the election.

Check first

If you aren’t sure if you’re registered to vote, find out. Trying to register again if you’re already registered could result in unnecessary hassles.

And if you haven’t voted in a while, check to make sure you’re still registered and that your address is up to date.

Voters can check their registration status by calling the Berks County Elections Office at 610-478-6490 or checking at VotesPA.com.

Get registered

Pennsylvania voters can register online at VotesPA.com. In addition to applying for a new registration, the system can be used to update an existing voter record with new information, such as a change of name, address or party affiliation.

Get a mail ballot

The deadline to request a ballot by mail is Oct. 28. Voters can apply online by visiting VotesPA.com, apply in person at the county elections office or contact the county elections office directly at 610-478-6490 to request a paper application. You will need to apply with a valid Pennsylvania identification card or supply the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Voters can mail their ballot through the postal service or, starting on Oct. 20, place them in one of the three ballot drop boxes in Berks. One box is in the lobby of the Berks County Services Center at 633 Court St. in Reading; one is in the lobby of the Berks County South Campus at 400 E. Wyomissing Ave. in Mohnton; and another is inside the Reading Regional Airport terminal at 24 Liberator Way in Bern Township.

The drop boxes will be open the following days and hours:

• Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 1: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Sunday, Nov. 2: noon to 4 p.m.

• Monday, Nov. 3: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Election Day, Nov. 4: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Mail ballots must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m. Nov. 4.