Celebrate America’s 250th by putting democracy in practice and America into action. 

When a government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, democracy is always in action. America in Action is PBS Western Reserve's civics initiative, empowering Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania with voter registration tools, polling information, opportunities for civic dialogue, and educational community activities that celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary.

Take the uncertainty out of voting with PBS Western Reserve’s voting checklist, supported by information from the state’s official resource hub, vote.pa.gov.   

1. Check voter registration – Check voter registration here. 
    
2. Register if needed – Register here. 
   In Pennsylvania, voters must register at least 15 days before Election Day. Voters must also update their registration if their address, name or political party changed since they last voted or registered. 
    
3. Request an absentee or mail-in ballot if needed – Request a mail-in or absentee ballot here. 
   In Pennsylvania, voters may request either a no-excuse mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot. Voters who are disabled, overseas or hospitalized may need to fill out a unique absentee ballot request form. Learn more about absentee voting here. 
    
4. Research the ballot 
   Vote411 is a free, nonpartisan tool for ballot information. Follow this link to use the tool. 
    
5. Find the polling place – Find polling locations here. 
    
6. Bring identification on election day 
   In Pennsylvania, voters are only required to present ID if it’s their first time voting at a new polling place. Valid forms of ID include both photo and non-photo ID options, including a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license, U.S. passport, employee or student ID, a current utility bill or bank statement and more. See the full list here. 
    
7. Vote! 
   Keep reading for more information on the election schedule, voting with a disability, and early in-person voting.

Poll workers are some of the unsung heroes of the country’s electoral process, and the role is always in high demand! Those who have an interest in being an essential part of the electoral process or learning something new that has a positive impact on their community should consider signing up to become a poll worker. Follow this link to sign up or learn more. 

Pennsylvania offers opt-in text reminders for important election dates and deadlines. Sign up here. A directory of Pennsylvania’s county boards of elections is available here. 

Blue = Primary

Red = General

Deadline to register for Primary Election

5 PM

Last Day to Request a Mail-In Ballot

8 PM 
(Note: a postmark by May 19 is not sufficient) 

Mail-In Ballots Must Be Received by Local Boards of Elections

Polls open 7 AM–8 PM

Primary Election Voting Day

Deadline to register for General Election

5 PM

Last Day to Request a Mail-In Ballot

8 PM
(Note: a postmark by November 3 is not sufficient) 

Mail-In Ballots Must Be Received by Local Boards of Elections

Polls open 7 AM–8 PM

General Election Voting Day

Accessibility is required at the ballot box, and nothing should prevent eligible voters from voting with a disability. In Pennsylvania, voters with disabilities have a variety of choices for how to vote. Follow this link for more resources and information. 

Voting access for military and overseas citizens is required under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) and the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE). Military and overseas voters can register and request their absentee ballot by completing the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). A suggested timeline of the UOCAVA absentee voting process is available on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website. 

Visit FVAP.gov/pennsylvania to complete the form, see election deadlines and access further assistance.