How To Register To Vote

Visit VotesPA for guidance on the “4 convenient ways to register to vote or update your registration.”

  • Deadline for registering to vote or changing party registration: 15 days before each election.
  • You can fill out a paper registration form at the Delaware County Voter Registration Office, Government Center Building, Ground Floor, 201 W. Front Street, Media PA (610) 891-4659.

How To Check the Status of Your Voter Registration

If you want to make sure your voter registration has the correct name, address, or other personal information, visit the Pennsylvania Dept of State’s Voter Services.

VotesPA gives all the rules and regulations plus step-by-step guides for applying to receive a mail-in ballot electronically, or with a paper application, or in person.

  • No reason needed to ask for a mail-in ballot. All voters in PA are eligible for this.
  • If you are a first-time voter, you will have to submit a photocopy of a “valid” ID along with your application. See ID section below for what qualifies as valid ID.
  • Deadline for applying to receive a mail-in ballot: 7 days before each election (but that is cutting it close. You still have to mail it back or deliver it by 8:00 p.m. on election day.

Finding YOUR polling place:

Pennsylvania Voter Services has a convenient “Find Your Polling Place”  page.

Applying for a Mail-in Ballot

VotesPA gives all the rules and regulations plus step-by-step guides for applying to receive a mail-in ballot electronically, or with a paper application, or in person.

  • No reason needed to ask for a mail-in ballot. All voters in PA eligible for this.
  • You will have to submit a photocopy of a “valid” ID along with your application if you are a “first time” voter. You are a first time voter if you have never voted before or if you are voting for the first time at a particular polling place. See ID section below for what qualifies as valid ID.
  • Deadline for applying to receive a mail-in ballot: 7 days before each election (but that is cutting it close. You still have to mail it back or deliver it by 8:00 p.m. on election day).

Applying for an Absentee Ballot

VotesPA gives all the rules and regulations plus step-by-step guides for applying to receive an absentee ballot electronically, or with a paper application, or in person.

  • Absentee ballots are appropriate for those whose health prevents them from going to the polls or those who will not be in town on election day. This includes members of the military.
  • Deadline for applying to receive a mail-in ballot: 7 days before each election (but that is cutting it close. You still have to mail it back or deliver it by 8:00 p.m. on election day).

Info for ALL Mail-in Voters:

Must be registered to vote!  You cannot receive a mail-in or absentee ballot if you are not a registered voter in Pennsylvania. Check on your registration status. Make sure your current address is the one the state has listed for you.

Annual Request to Vote from Home is Easy.  Whether you apply for a mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot, whether online or on paper, your Ballot Request Application will let you make an “annual mail-in ballot request.” That is a request to automatically get ballots for the rest of the year, and NOT have to submit a ballot request application for each election!

No take-backs. If you submit your ballot by mail or early in person, you may not change your vote on election day. The vote you submit early is absolutely final.

If you received a mail-in ballot but did not mail it back, you may go to your polling place on election day and cast a “provisional” ballot. VotesPA gives an explanation of that process. If you simply mailed it back too late, your vote cannot be counted.

Do I Need an ID to Vote?

Only first time voters or those voting for the first time at any polling place will need to show ID, but it does not need to be a photo ID. If you do not have a photo ID, you can use a non-photo identification that includes your name and address.

Approved forms of non-photo ID include:

  • 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

If you want to obtain a Photo ID: Go to PennDOT's Driver's License Center
Granite Run Mall (Behind ACME)
1067 W. Baltimore Pike
Media, PA 19063

Photo ID that will be accepted at your polling location include:

  • 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 

What is a provisional ballot?

Under certain circumstances (listed below), a voter will be permitted to cast a provisional ballot at that voter’s polling place. Each ballot will be examined within three days of the election to determine if the person casting the ballot was, in fact, eligible to vote. If so, that provisional ballot will be counted as a regular vote.


Why would I need to cast a provisional ballot?

Voters will be given the opportunity to cast a provisional ballot at their polling place under the following circumstances:

  • The voter requested a mail-in ballot, received it, but never sent it to Board of Elections. If you did not ever mail your ballot, you can go to your polling place and cast a provisional ballot.
  • The first time voter cannot produce an approved form of identification (see list above).
  • The would-be voter believes s/he registered and eligible, but the would-be voter’s name does not appear on the election district register and the election officials at the polling place cannot determine the individual’s voter status.
  • An election official at the polling place challenges the voter’s eligibility to vote.
  • Learn more about provisional ballots from PA Dept of State.

What if I have a complaint?

Voters who believe that a state or local official or employee has violated provisions of the U.S. Help America Vote Act of 2002* have the right to file a complaint with the state Bureau of Elections and have that complaint considered, ruled on, and resolved within 90 days. The following are examples of the types of circumstances under which a complaint should be filed:

  • You are denied the opportunity to cast a provisional ballot if your voting status is challenged.
  • You believe that an election official or employee has violated the requirement that a first-time voter present an approved form of ID at the polling place.
  • You believe the information that is required to be posted at the polling place is incomplete, missing, or inaccessible to you.

Attorneys are on hand at the Delco Bureau of Elections to answer your questions or complaints. (610) 891-4659.


Where do I get a Complaint Form?

Via the PA Department of State website

Via email request to RA-BCEL@state.pa.us

Or written request for a form:
The Bureau of Elections
210 North Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717)787-5280

*The federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 as well as Pennsylvania’s related laws is intended to ensure that every person who is eligible to vote (and who appears at the appropriate polling place) is given the opportunity to do so and that every voter’s ballot is counted. It also aims to maintain the nation’s low occurrences of voter fraud. The law’s specifics are outlined by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.