PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia City Commissioners remind city residents that Tuesday, October 29 at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline to apply for a mail ballot for the Presidential General Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
“If you are going to be out of town on November 5, or would simply like the comfort and convenience of voting from home, I urge you to apply for your mail in ballot today,” said Chairman Omar Sabir. “There are 34 ballot drop locations across the city, so voting by mail has never been easier.”
“Voting by mail is a safe, secure, and convenient way to make sure your vote is counted on Election Day,” said Vice-Chair Lisa Deeley. “Make a plan, apply now, and be sure to drop off your completed application right away. All mail ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on November 5.»
“It only takes a few minutes to apply online or in person at one of our 11 Election Offices across the City,» said Commissioner Seth Bluestein. “No matter how you choose to vote – by mail or in person – the important thing is to make sure your voice is heard.”
As soon as voters receive their mail ballot, they should do the following:
- Read the instructions carefully.
- Fill out the ballot in blue or black ink, being sure to follow instructions on how to mark their candidate selections.
- Seal the ballot in the yellow secrecy envelope marked «Official Election Ballot.»
- Place your sealed secrecy envelope inside the dark blue «Ballot Return» envelope.
- Sign and write the current date on the “Voter’s Declaration” on the back of the ballot return envelope.
For a visual on how to pack your ballot, click here
How to Apply for a Mail-In Ballot:
- The Philadelphia County Board of Elections Office, located in Room 140 of City Hall. Visitors can access this office from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, and 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors should enter through the South Portal of City Hall.
- Satellite Election Offices (SEOs) across Philadelphia provide in-person mail ballot services. These offices operate from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, and 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday. A full list of Satellite Election Office locations is available at vote.phila.gov/seos.
- Online at vote.pa.gov. While online request is an option, given the limited time for a ballot to be received via USPS, we suggest that voters visit a satellite election office to request mail ballots.
Make a Plan to Drop off Your Mail in Ballot:
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls are open from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Mail ballots must be received (not postmarked) by 8:00 P.M. on Election Day. Mail ballots cannot be returned at your polling place on Election Day. Voters may use one of our 34 convenient drop boxes. Visit vote.phila.gov/ballot-drop-off to find the closest box to you.
The City Commissioners have also scheduled a number of mobile ballot drop-off events to help make returning your mail ballot easier. Personnel from the Board of Elections will be on-hand to collect voted mail ballots ahead of the deadline. Visit the “Latest News” section of vote.phila.gov for details.
Join the City Commissioners at City Hall on October 29:
The City Commissioners will host a press conference at 10:00 A.M. at the Octavius V. Catto Memorial Statue, 1400 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (South Side of City Hall), to encourage Philadelphians to vote and apply for their mail in ballot before the deadline at 5pm.
About the Philadelphia City Commissioners:
The Philadelphia City Commissioners are a three-member, bipartisan board of elected officials who make up the Philadelphia County Board of Elections, which is responsible for administering elections in Philadelphia. Their mission is to ensure safe, secure, and accessible elections.
For media inquiries please contact: press.vote@phila.gov
For more information, visit vote.phila.gov.