Voting Basics

Are you registered to vote? Anyone wishing to cast a vote in an election must be a registered voter. The deadline to register is 15 days prior to an election.
- Not sure? Check your registration status
- Have you recently moved? Never voted before? Register to vote

Interested in Mail-in Voting? In 2020, Pennsylvania created the option to vote by mail without needing a special reason or excuse.
- Voters can apply for and submit their mail-in ballot (MIB) up to 50 days prior to an election.
- Voters can apply for a MIB up to 1 week (7 days) prior to the election, and ballots must be received by Bucks County’s Board of Elections before 8:00 pm on election day. That includes placing your own ballot in an official ballot drop-box.
- More information is available here

Wondering if you can still vote in person if you have already requested a mail-in ballot? If you bring your ballot & both envelopes, the Judge of Elections will void your MIB and you will be allowed to vote using the machine at your polling place. If you do not have your MIB with both envelopes, you can still vote in person using a provisional ballot. These ballots will be reviewed by the Board of Elections within a week of Election Day. If your MIB had not been returned by you and there are no other issues prohibiting you from voting, your provisional ballot will be counted.

Bucks County uses a paper ballot voting system. Information about this system is available here

Confused about voting in a primary election? Pennsylvania is a closed primary state. This means that voters must be registered with one of the 2 major parties (Democratic or Republican) to vote in that party’s Primary Election. Other registered voters can still vote on any special referendum or constitutional amendment on the ballot.

More questions? Comprehensive, up-to-date information about voting in Pennsylvania can be found on the state’s website vote .pa.com or you can contact the Bucks County Board of Elections at 215-348-6154.