The term “Election Day” has become somewhat of a misnomer. Because so many voters vote early, we have extended election seasons. That Philadelphians can cast their ballot at their convenience is kind of great. But it can also be kind of … confusing. Here is a simple FAQ to voting in the 2024 election in Philadelphia, PA, with a more detailed nuts-and-bolts how-to-vote guide here.

How do I know if I’m registered to vote in PA?

Head to this PA Voter Services page and enter one of three criteria: your name, driver’s license number or PennDOT ID.

Damn. I’m not registered. What do I do?

Register to vote online, in person or by mail — just do it by October 21, 2024. October 21 is also the last day to update your voter registration (in order to change your address or party).

I’m registered. How can I vote?

Two options:

Vote via absentee ballot by mail or by dropping that ballot into a dropbox — or delivering in person to City Hall, before and on November 5.

Or …

Go to your polling place in-person on November 5. Find that polling place of yours here. Open 7am to 8pm. As long as you’re in line by 8pm, you can vote.

When can I vote?

Philadelphia City Commissioners are printing and sending out mail-in ballots. That means voting season is underway in Philly, now through Election Day. So, if you’re not voting in person, you can do that now. If you are voting in person, you can do that on November 5, 2024 from 7am to 8pm.

(Also, props to our City Commishes: They’re getting our mail-in / drop-off ballots out faster than their counterparts in nearby Bucks, Chester or Delaware counties. Only MontCo was faster.)

I voted by mail in the 2024 primary, or maybe it was the 2023 election. Do I automatically get a mail-in ballot?

Nope.

A couple of years ago, anyone who’d signed up for a mail-in ballot for one election automatically received another before the next election. Now, you must re-register to vote not-in-person — by Tuesday, October 29, 2024. You can do that online. You can also download an application for an absentee ballot, and mail that in, but it needs to get there by October 29.

Or, you can march to City Hall Room 142 and request not-in-person ballot there, through … October 29.

Damnit. I missed the October 29 deadline to get a mail-in ballot. WTF do I do?

Definitely freak out. Then, see if you qualify for an emergency absentee ballot. You probably do. Valid reasons to get a past-deadline absentee ballot include: You have a disability, or will be out of town, or got sick, or your work or life or overall obligations kept you so busy that you just forgot.

Philadelphians can download and emergency absentee ballot application here. But they need to fill it out and return it by November 5 at 8pm.

What do I do with my mail-in ballot?

Choose your candidates, and get that sucker filled out and mailed in or dropped off ASAP. Don’t wait long. The people in charge need it by November 5.

Find instructions on how to fill out and seal your ballot here.

Philadelphians can drop off absentee ballots at the City Commissioners’ Office (City Hall), or in a couple dozen secure dropboxes located around the city.

Important: You cannot return your mail-in / absentee ballot to your polling place.

I applied for and got a mail-in ballot but now wanna vote in person. Can I?

Surely, Shirley. Two options:

1. Go to your polling place, request a provisional ballot, and vote that way.
2. Go to your polling place with your absentee ballot, have the judge of elections stationed there void your absentee ballot, and vote as usual.

Who’s running for office besides Harris and Trump? Why should I care about them?

Sure, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump dominate the headlines. You should definitely vote for the person who’ll best represent your values in the White House.

But the people who represent Philadelphia and PA in Washington, D.C., and Philly in Harrisburg make a much bigger impact on your day-to-day. Care about gun violence or gun rights? That’s a state issue. What about reproductive rights and bodily autonomy? Also, a state-level matter. Want PA to up its funding for Philly public schools? Well, you’ll need to elect the right state senators and representatives to make that case for you.

Here’s the brutal truth: If you don’t vote, politicians won’t care about you; they won’t represent your interests. Need more reasons to vote? Here you go.

Here are all the candidates on your 2024 ballot, if you live in Philadelphia.

BONUS VOTING FAQS:

What can I do to help with the 2024 election — and maybe even make some $$ while I’m at it?

You bet. One of the best things you can do is become a poll worker. To do that, you need to fill out and submit this poll worker interest form. After that, someone from your county board of elections office will contact you to give you an assignment — and yes, it’s a paid position, between $180 and $205, plus some extra dollars for doing the training.

What are my rights as a voter in Pennsylvania?

We’re glad you asked! They include privacy (no one knows who you vote for) and accessibility and various fail-safes. You can find a good rundown of Pennsylvania voters’ rights and responsibilities right here.

What else I can do besides voting to make Philadelphia a better city?

Yes, engaged citizen, we actually have plenty of suggestions for that. We dropped this handy list of ways to take action and save democracy following the frightening insurrection on the Capitol. You could also do your part to stand up for social justice, and by all means get out there and support Philadelphia’s restaurants and Black-owned businesses — because when they thrive, we all do.

If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to email us. We’ll do everything we can to get you an answer. Until then … Happy Election Season 2024!

MORE ABOUT VOTING IN PHILADELPHIA