PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) \u2014 State Secretary Al Schmidt is reminding Pennsylvania voters that they must apply for a ballot at least a week before the primary election if they plan to vote by mail.<\/p>\n
The primary election this year is May 19 and mail ballot applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12.<\/p>\n
All ballots must be turned in to each voter\u2019s county election office<\/a> by 8 p.m. on Election Day. A list of ballot return locations is available online<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cVoting by mail is a popular, safe, and secure option for Pennsylvanians to cast their ballots and make their voices heard,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cEligible Pennsylvanians who prefer to vote by mail should apply today to ensure they have time to receive, mark, and return their ballot.\u201d<\/p>\n Voters who receive an absentee ballot and decide to vote in person must bring their ballot with them to surrender it. If that voter never received their absentee ballot, they will be able to vote using a provisional ballot.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter how you choose to vote, by mail ballot or in person at the polls on Election Day, what matters is making your voice heard,\u201d Schmidt added.<\/p>\n It should be noted that PA has a closed primary, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party\u2019s candidates. However, if there is a constitutional amendment question, ballot question, or special election, all voters can vote.<\/p>\n Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n A polling place locator is available to voters at pa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n