Pennsylvania voters have options on how to return their mail ballot: by mail, at a drop box, at their county election office, or other officially designated location. Under Pennsylvania law, voters must return their own ballots. The only exceptions to this are for voters with a disability who have designated someone in writing using the Authorize a Designated Agent Form to deliver their ballot.
Ballots must be received by the county election office before 8 p.m. on Election Day.
County Election Offices
Voters may return their completed mail-in or absentee ballot to their county election office during that office's business hours. Ballots must be received by the county election office before 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Find your county election office.
Drop Boxes and Dropoff Sites
Some counties may have drop boxes. They are a safe and secure way for Pennsylvania voters to return their completed mail-in or absentee ballots. Voters may return their mail-in or absentee ballot at their county's designated drop box(es) or drop-off location. Ballots must be received by the county election office before 8 p.m. on Election Day. Under Pennsylvania law, voters must return their own ballots. The only exceptions to this are for voters with a disability who have designated someone in writing to deliver their ballot.
Services available at a drop box or drop-off location:
- Return only your own completed ballot
NOTE: Completed ballots may also be returned at your county election office.
Check your county’s website for information.
Satellite County Election Offices
Some county election boards might open satellite offices to offer county residents added convenience. These satellite locations may be open additional hours, including weeknights and weekends. Each satellite location has a secure ballot receptacle to store completed mail-in and absentee ballots submitted at the location.
Services available at a County Election Office or Satellite County Election Office:
- Register to vote (not offered at all satellite locations)
- Vote early in person
- Apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot
- Vote your ballot, once your application is verified
- Return a completed ballot
- Return a completed ballot that was mailed to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- No. The only exceptions are if you are a voter with a disability and have designated someone, in writing, to deliver your ballot, or if you need an emergency absentee ballot.
- Return your own ballot as soon as you receive it. Mail it or deliver it in person to your county board of elections office or other official location designated by your county board of elections.
- No.
- If you received a mail ballot but did not return it, you may surrender your mail ballot and outer return envelope at your polling place and vote a regular ballot.
- If you did vote your mail ballot and returned it to your county board of elections, you are not eligible to vote at your polling place. If you believe that you are eligible to vote in person, you can vote by provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be reviewed by the county board of elections after Election Day.
- If you requested a mail ballot but did not receive it, or you do not have the ballot and outer return envelope to surrender at your polling place, you may vote by provisional ballot at your polling place.
- Remember that it is unlawful to fraudulently vote more than once in the same election.