Voting in Pennsylvania: How to register and cast your ballot in the 2022 midterms

A midterm year is once again upon us. And in 2022, in the state of Pennsylvania, that means some highly competitive races for local and state offices, plus a bid for Congress.

Though the state had some local races in 2021, voter turnout for midterm years usually isn’t as high as it is for presidential elections. But this year, the race for governor and a US Senate seat have stolen a lot of attention.

On election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, and for weeks leading up to it via mail-in ballots, Pennsylvanians will have the chance to vote for a senator, governor and lieutenant governor, and representatives in Congress and in the state general assembly. Philadelphians will also chose two at-large City Council members, and two candidates for district council, while Pittsburghers will choose one City Council member.

How to register to vote

The big one: If you aren’t registered to vote in Pennsylvania, you have until Oct. 24 to register here. And if you think you’re registered to vote or want to double check where you are registered is, you can do that here, too. While registering or re-registering, you’ll have the option to chose a mail-in ballot.

Mail-in ballots began making their way to voters the week of Oct. 10. In Philly, you may also request a mail-in ballot in person at City Hall room 140, or download this form and submit a request for mail-in ballot via mail. Applications for mail-in ballots may be received by the County Board of Elections until Nov. 1, no later than 5 p.m.

"No matter how you choose to vote, whether it's in person or by mail, voting in Philadelphia is safe and secure." City Hall, room 140 is now open for in-person mail ballot requests. More information is available at https://t.co/RIkxDgxwvm. #PhillyVotes pic.twitter.com/D5zqVwFrC4

— Seth Bluestein (@SethBluestein) October 12, 2022

The pandemic-prompted introduction of mail-in voting to the masses in 2020 introduced a wide swath of people to early and remote voting. More than 749,000 Philadelphians cast ballots in the November 2020 general election, and just under half the total — about 365,000 of the city’s votes — came via mail ballot that year, Billy Penn reported.

How to vote

If you’re planning on heading to the polls in-person on Nov. 8, be sure you know where your polling location is (check here). If you’re voting for the first time, or the first time in your division, you will need to bring an approved form of ID. Be sure to get in line early, bring a snack in case you’re waiting for a while, and know your rights:

• If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line — you have the right to vote.
• If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.
• If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot.
• If you are told your name is not in the list of registered voters, request a provisional ballot.

For help or questions, you can call the ACLU’s nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683 for English and 1-888-839-8682 for Spanish.

If you’re voting by mail, you’ll likely receive your ballot in the weeks leading up to Nov. 8; as of Oct. 12, more than 126,000 mail-in ballots had already been sent out, Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein said. Your mail-in ballot will come with the ballot itself, an instruction card, a secrecy envelop, an outer envelope and a sheet explaining the ballot questions. Check out Billy Penn’s step-by-step guide to filling out your mail-in ballot.

Also in Philly: When you’re ready to submit your completed ballot, you may simply drop it in the mail (postmarked no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 8), or return it to one of 17 ballot drop boxes throughout the city. Voters may only drop off their own ballot unless they are physically unable to, in which case they have designated an agent to deliver their ballot and the completed forms are submitted with the ballot.

Over 126,000 mail-in ballots have been sent out so far. Voters from any part of the city can return their own voted mail-in ballot to a dropbox. Dropboxes are accessible 24/7. For more information, visit https://t.co/L3EhPD406S #PhillyVotes pic.twitter.com/AnM8M9ZcNd

— Seth Bluestein (@SethBluestein) October 12, 2022

Voting guides and resources

In September, the City of Philadelphia launched a refreshed, thorough voting info website, vote.phila.gov, which has information about voter deadlines, how and where to register to vote, how to apply for a mail-in ballot and how to find your polling place, among other details. It also holds information for folks who will be working the polls, or who want to do so. There’s also a section for candidates and campaigns offering information for people running for office, and a resources and data section which provides links to different places where city commissioners manage their results information.

The State of Pennsylvania also offers a similar website with information relevant to every eligible voter, vote.pa.gov.

And before you head to your polling place on Nov. 8, or sit down with your mail-in ballot, take a look at some local candidate and voting guides synthesizing candidate platforms and ballot questions:

• Philadelphia Citizen — Philadelphia Voter Guide: PA General Election 2022
• AARP — FAQs to vote in Pennsylvania’s 2022 Elections
• Billy Penn — Follow these steps to make sure your mail vote counts
• The Philadelphia Inquirer — Philly’s mail ballot drop boxes are open for the midterm elections. Here’s how to use them
• Request a mail-in ballot and track its status