Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

If you are a Uniformed Service member, registration is not required but you must complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or the Pennsylvania absentee ballot application to request an absentee ballot.

An FPCA submitted prior to October 28, 2009 registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for all subsequent local, State, and Federal elections held through the 2012 general election. An application submitted after January 1, 2010 registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for all local, State, and Federal elections held during the calendar year in which it was submitted, so you should submit a new application in each Federal election year.

You may be already registered to vote. To check, go to Pennsylvania's voter registration verification website. Even if you are registered to vote, you still need to complete the form to receive an absentee ballot. You may not need to fill out this entire form. Check out the instructions below to see what information your State requires.

Open Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

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What do I fill in?

Only the following blocks are required:

Block 1: Select the category that describes you.

Block 2: To vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party affiliation. If you want to change your political party affiliation, submit a completed FPCA indicating your new party preference to the local election official. Political
party affiliation is not required if only requesting absentee ballots for general elections.

Block 3: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 4: Requested but not required. Enter the choice that best describes you: AI = American Indian or Alaskan Native; AP = Asian or Pacific Islander not Native Hawaiian; B = Black, not
of Hispanic Origin; H = Hispanic; M = Multi-racial; NH =Native Hawaiian; W = White, not of Hispanic Origin; O =Other.

Date of Birth

Enter your valid Pennsylvania Driver's License number. If you do not have a Pennsylvania Driver’s License, enter the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not possess either of these identification numbers, the State shall assign a number that will serve to identify you for voter registration purposes.

Block 5: Recommended but not required. Provide your contact information to allow your local election official to follow up if more information is required.

Block 6: Pennsylvania allows you to receive your ballot by mail, fax, or email. Please rank your preference of how you would like to receive your absentee ballot. Provide your fax number or email address in Block 5. If you do not make a selection, then your local election official will mail your ballot to you.

Blocks 7: Complete street address of your Pennsylvania voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient. If your address includes a rural route, describe its location in Block 9. This address must be must be within the county where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 8: Complete address where you want your ballot sent.

Block 9: Block 9: If you are in a remote area, you may receive a ballot 50 days before the primary election and 70 days before the general election. To request a ballot within these time frames, write in Block 9: “I am unable to vote during the regular absentee balloting period by reason of performing military service in an extremely remote or isolated area of the world. I request a special write-in absentee ballot.” OR “I am unable to

Affirmation: Sign and date. No witness or notary required.

Mail

You must mail your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request to your local election official. Find your county or city in the list below to locate your election official.

Open Election Official Address List

Don't know your county? Go to the county finder.

Don't know your zip code? Go to the United States Postal Service website.

Optional: You may be able to use the Postage-Paid Envelope Template.

Open Postage-Paid Envelope Template

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The postage paid envelope may be used if mailed in the U.S. Postal System, which includes all U.S. Military post offices (APO/FPO) overseas or through the diplomatic pouch available at U.S. embassies/consulates. Affix appropriate postage if using international mail. Template must be printed on a number 10 or larger envelope.

If you choose to fax or email, you MUST also sign and mail the original request so it is received by Election Day.

Fax

If you choose to fax, it is recommended that you fax the form directly to your local election official (fax numbers can be found on Pennsylvania State Election website). You may also use our toll-free fax service.  To use the Electronic Transmission Service, use this Fax/Email Coversheet and fax to:

Inside the U.S.? Fax to:
1-800-368-8683
(703) 693-5527
DSN 223-5527

Outside the U.S.? Show me a list of toll-free fax numbers.

Email

If you choose to email, email the signed, scanned form directly to your local election official with a completed Fax/Email Coversheet (Opens in a new window and requires Adobe Reader 7). Email addresses can be found on the Pennsylvania State Election website. You may also use our Electronic Transmission Service by sending the form as an attachment to ets@fvap.gov.

• If you have not received your absentee ballot in a timely manner use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.
• In addition to mailing a regular ballot, Pennsylvania provides a Special Write-In Absentee Ballot 50 days before the primary election and 70 days before the general election to any voter unable to vote using the regular absentee voting process due military service or because they reside in a remote area. This ballot allows you to vote for local, State and Federal offices. To request it, write in Block 9: “I am unable to vote during the regular absentee balloting period by reason of performing military service in an extremely remote or isolated area of the world. I request a special write-in absentee ballot” OR “I am unable to vote during the regular absentee ballot period by reason of living in an extremely remote or isolated area of the world. I request a special write-in absentee ballot.”