YOU HAVE 3 OPTIONS FOR VOTING:
1) Mail-in Ballots
- Mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.
- You may NOT drop off a marked/voted ballot at the polling place on Election Day. You may vote in person at your polling place, by giving your entire absentee/mail-in ballot package (outer envelope, ballot, and secrecy envelope) to the poll worker, who will void/spoil that ballot and allow you to vote in person.
- Mail-in and absentee ballots can be dropped off at the Elections Office (address below). IMPORTANT NOTE: Voters may only drop off their own ballots UNLESS they are a designated agent for a voter with an ADA recognized disability and they complete and follow the instructions of the Designated Agent Form.
How to complete a mail-in ballot in 3 easy steps:
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- Mark your ballot, carefully following all of the instructions.
- There are 2 envelopes and you must use both: place your ballot in the secrecy inner envelope (#1) and then put the secrecy envelope into the official outer envelope (#2). Be sure to sign the declaration on the outside of the outer envelope, or your ballot may not count.
- Return your ballot so it arrives at the county election office on time.
- Track your ballot to be sure it is received and processed HERE
Voting by mail is an easy, convenient and secure way to cast your ballot. FOR THE General Election, apply by 5:00 p.m. one week before Election Day . You can apply online. Your ballot MUST BE RECEIVED, NOT JUST POSTMARKED, by 8:00 p.m. on ELECTION DAY.
2) Early Voting before Election Day
- You can vote early in person or if you received a mail-in ballot you can bring it with you and deliver it to Allegheny County Board of Elections employees at the following locations and times. IMPORTANT NOTE: Voters may only drop off their own ballots.
- Satellite Locations (TBA)
- County Election Office, 542 Forbes Ave, Downtown Pittsburgh
- Satellite Locations (TBA)
3) Election Day Voting
- Check if you’re registered to vote, and that all of your information is correct. Need to change something? You must do so no later than 15 days before the election.
- Visit the polling place locator to find where you will go to vote, and get directions to your polling place.
- First-time voters only – including individuals are are voting for the first-time at their new polling place, will be asked to show an approved form of identification.
Did You Change Your Mind About How to Vote?
This is not recommended due to the confusion this could cause and/or someone contesting your ballot, but if you absolutely must, then you have two options:
- Take your unmarked/blank ballot, declaration envelope and all other materials received to your polling place. Let the poll workers know that you want to “spoil” your ballot so that you can vote in-person. You will need to turn over the ballot and materials to the poll workers who will note them as spoiled and place them in an envelope to be returned to Elections. Once done, you will sign in and be processed the same as any other voter.
- If you did not receive your ballot or cannot find it, you can still go to your polling place, but you will have to cast a provisional ballot. Once voted, you will return your ballot to the poll workers who will secure it in an envelope and note the reason that you were asked to cast a provisional ballot. Your vote will not be counted on election day but will instead be returned to Elections and reviewed as part of the Return Board process. Once the board verifies that you cast no other vote in this election, the ballot will be opened, counted and added to the overall vote count.
Allegheny County Election Office:
Allegheny County Elections Division
542 Forbes Ave., Suite 604
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2953
(412) 350-4500
Pittsburgh and the 14th Ward are in Allegheny County.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of State elections information
