(Updated 4/7/24)

Voting by Mail is Safe, Secure and Easy

Video — What happens to my mail ballot?

All Voters Who Want to Vote by Mail Must Submit an Application Every Year

Applying to Vote by Mail

Did you vote by mail in a previous election?

If you voted by mail previously, you may have requested your name be added to the permanent list of “Annual” voters. This means that the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office will automatically send you an application to vote by mail every year.*

You may choose to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot on line, instead of using the paper application you received in the mail.
APPLY FOR A BALLOT ON LINE NOW at pa voter services.pa.gov
If you apply on-line, and provide your email address, you will receive an e-mail confirmation of your application and be able to track your application and ballot on-line.

*Check your status for current year’s elections to verify you are an Annual Voter
After entering the requested information, you will see your Voter Status Record
Under Voter Record Details: “Are you a permanent voter?
“YES As a permanent voter, you will be mailed a renewal application by each February that will permit you to request a mail ballot for all eligible elections held during that calendar year.” 
Indicates you are on the list and will be mailed a paper application.
If you are still unsure of your status Contact the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at 610-782-3194.

Is this the first time you are applying for an Absentee Ballot or Mail-in Ballot?

You must be registered to vote. Deadline to register is 15 days before any election. See Election Calendar
REGISTER NOW

Which Ballot Should I Use?
If you apply on line, you will be asked questions to determine if your are an Absentee Voter or a Mail Ballot Voter and directed to the correct form. APPLY ON LINE NOW
Detailed information about Absentee Voting or Voting by Mail is available on vote.pa.gov
The vote.pa.gov page will direct you to the appropriate APPLICATION FORMS for APPLYING ON-LINE or to PRINT & MAIL. Please carefully read all instructions.

Additional Source for Printed Copies of the Applications
Lehigh County Voter Registration Office has printed copies of the application forms available in its office.

The difference between an Absentee Ballot and a Mail Ballot

Mail-in ballots are for any eligible voter. You do not need an excuse or reason to request a mail-in ballot.

Absentee ballots are for:

  • voters who plan to be out of their municipality on Election Day
  • voters who have a disability or illness that prevents them from going to a polling place on Election Day

Request a paper application or an apply in another language

You Can Obtain a Paper Application Several Ways:
▸Go to Vote.pa.gov to download and print a paper application Mail-in ballot request form
▸Direct links to forms in: English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional
Submit an online request to have a form mailed to you
▸Call the Department of State at: 1-877-VOTES-PA (1-877-868-3772) and request a form be mailed to you
▸Print an Application Form from the Lehigh County Government Website
▸Contact or visit the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office for assistance

Lehigh County Voter Registration Office
Lehigh County Government Center
17 South Seventh St., Allentown, PA 18101-2400
Phone 610-782-3194

Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.   Monday — Friday

On-Line applications for absentee or mail voting are also available in Spanish and Chinese
Select language in the upper right corner of the page.

Accessibility solutions for mail voting for voters with disabilities

Accessible remote ballot marking solution for mail voting for voters with disabilities
Pennsylvania voters with disabilities now have the opportunity to mark their absentee or mail-in ballot electronically. Learn more about the accessible remote ballot marking solution.

Third Party Ballot Delivery of mail ballot by designated agent
If you have a disability that prevents you from applying in person for your mail ballot or delivering your mail ballot, you must designate the agent in writing using this English PDF formSpanish PDF formChinese PDF form or a form provided by your county

If you have a permanent disability, you can apply to be added to the permanent absentee voter list by submitting an absentee ballot application (PDF), including section C. If your application is accepted, you will receive absentee ballots for the elections that take place during the rest of the year. You will also receive an annual absentee ballot application every year that you are on the list.

If your County Board of Elections says your polling place inaccessible, you can vote by alternative ballot. Learn about voting by alternative ballot

Full details PA Accessible Voting for Citizens with a Disability

Change your address if you have moved or will be moving

If you recently moved, or will move before the election, contact the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at 610-782-3194, to ensure your mail-in or absentee ballot will be sent to your new address. If you moved out of your county,  you will need to change your registration and request to maintain your permanent mail-in ballot status or have your existing mail-in application transferred.
Additional information at Vote.PA.Gov

Verify that your application has been approved

If you provided an e-mail address on your application, you should receive a confirmation e-mail.
(This may take one to two weeks.)

Check the status of your application and your ballot on the Election Ballot Status page.

You can also check the status of your application on the Voter Registration Status page.
After entering the requested information, you will see your Voter Status Record
Under Voter Record Details: “Do you have an approved mail ballot request for the upcoming election?
If you see the YEAR, ELECTION, (election date) AND YES, the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office will be mail either an absentee or mail-in ballot to you when they are printed and available.

If you are still unsure of your status or have further questions:
Contact the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at 610-782-3194.

What is the Annual Mail Ballot List?

Voters can request to receive applications for mail-in or absentee ballots for all primary, general and special elections held in a given year.  If you indicate you would like to be added to the annual mail-in ballot request list, you will receive an application to renew your request for a mail-in ballot each year. Counties will mail applications to voters on the list by the first Monday of each February. Voters who return an application will receive ballots for each election scheduled through the next February.
You can check your status for the upcoming election HERE

More information at VOTE.PA.GOV

What if you no longer want to vote by mail?

► If you do not want to vote by mail do not return the application form that was mailed to you and vote in person at your assigned polling place.  

► Submit a Cancelation of Permanent Voter Status Form
Available from Lehigh County Voter Registration Office HERE
Return the completed form to:
Lehigh County Voter Registration
17 S 7th St, Allentown PA 18101-2401

► Contact the Lehigh County Voter Office at 610-782-3194, to change your permanent mail ballot status

Application Deadline for Mail-In/Absentee Ballots

When will the ballots be mailed to voters?

If your application is approved, the ballot and instructions will be mailed to you by the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office, as soon as the printed ballots are available. (An announcement that the ballots have been mailed will be posted on the ULDC Homepage and added to the Election Calendar.)

If you are still unsure of your status or have further questions:
Contact the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at 610-782-3194.

What should you do if you have not received your ballot?

Check the status of your ballot.
Contact the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office
17 South Seventh Street, Allentown 610-782-3194
Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm

Your ballot has a unique bar code

Your ballot will have a unique bar code on the outer envelope associated with your name.

Confirmation that you application was received and processed

If you provide your e-mail on your application, you should receive an e-mail confirmation of your application and you will be able to track your ballot application on-line.

Track your ballot to verify it was mailed by the Voter Registration Office

You can track your ballot by entering your name, date of birth and county in the pa.gov form.
TRACK YOUR BALLOT

If your status shows “Pending” you will receive a ballot.
If there is no record, you may need to re-apply.

Call the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at 610-782-3194

What information is on the ballot tracker?

  • status of your ballot for the current election
  • if your request to Vote By Mail got to your county election office
  • if your ballot package is on its way to you
  • if your completed ballot was received

If your status shows “Pending” you will receive a ballot.
If there is no record, you may need to re-apply.
Call the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at 610-782-3194

MAKE SURE YOUR BALLOT WILL COUNT!

Read all of the instructions On the instruction sheet, on the ballot & on the outer envelope,
to insure that your vote will be counted.

You must USE BOTH ENVELOPES, whether mailing, using a drop box or going to the Voter Registration office. Place ballot in the yellow secrecy envelope. Seal it.
Place this in the outer envelope that has printed address.

You must SIGN & DATE the BACK of the OUTER MAILING ENVELOPE
Sign, in the box, where indicated on the lower left of the back of the envelope.
Date, in the boxes provided. Use the date you are signing. Month, day, year.
Seal the envelope.

BALLOTS THAT ARE RETURNED WITHOUT SIGNATURE, DATE AND INNER SECRECY ENVELOPE
WILL NOT BE COUNTED
Return Your Ballot ASPAP. Ballots must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Ballots must be received by the Voter Registration Office by 8 pm on Election Day
RETURN ONLY YOUR OWN BALLOT. This is the law. Violation may result in prosecution.
Exception: The only exceptions are if you are a voter with a disability and have designated someone, in writing, to deliver your ballot, or if you need an emergency absentee ballot.

► Return Your Ballot by Mail

Return your ballot as soon as possible. Postage is paid.
To improve deliverability, mail from the post office.
All ballots must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.
Any voted ballot received in the voter registration office after the deadline will NOT be counted. Postmark does not count.

One week before Election Day, it is recommended that you choose another method of returning your ballot.

RETURN ONLY YOUR OWN BALLOT. This is the law. Violation may result in prosecution.
Exception: See “Third Party Ballot Delivery” for instructions and Certificate of Designated Agent Form for use by disabled voters. Available in English, Spanish and Chinese.
Or if you need an emergency absentee ballot.

► Return Your Ballot Early to a Secure Drop Box

Five drop boxes for mail ballots should be available for Lehigh County residents.
First Date of Availability TBA by Lehigh County Voter Office, See Election Calendar
All locations will have drop boxes inside the building and will be available for use during normal municipal business hours, with the exception of the city government location on 7th Street, which will have a dedicated slot on the outside at the main entrance of the building, next to the entrance with 24/7 access for deposit. Each drop box location will be monitored via electronic surveillance.

Your Lehigh County Ballot should be returned only to a Lehigh County Drop Box.

CURRENT DROP BOX LOCATIONS & HOURS AVAILABLE
Please note the hours of each location.  Locations may have changed.
First Date of Availability TBA by Lehigh County Voter Office. See Election Calendar


RETURN ONLY YOUR OWN BALLOT. This is the law. Violation may result in prosecution.
Exception: See “Third Party Ballot Delivery” for instructions and Certificate of Designated Agent Form for use by disabled voters. Available in English, Spanish and Chinese.
Or if you need an emergency absentee ballot.

Questions? Lehigh County Voter Registration Office 610-782-3194.

► Return Your Ballot to the Voter Registration Office

Ballots may returned directly to the Lehigh County Voter Office
Lower Level of the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown
Voter Office Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm
ELECTION DAY Extended Hours 7 am – 8 pm

Extended hours will be added when available
(Hours may change — check with Lehigh County Voter Registration Office, 610-782-3194)

Drop Off Your Ballot ASPAP. Deadline to Drop Off at the Office is Election Day at 8 pm.

RETURN ONLY YOUR OWN BALLOT. This is the law. Violation may result in prosecution.
Exception: See “Third Party Ballot Delivery” for instructions and Certificate of Designated Agent Form for use by disabled voters. Available in English, Spanish and Chinese.
Or if you need an emergency absentee ballot.

Track your ballot to verify it was received by the Voter Registration Office

You can track your ballot by entering your name, date of birth and county in the pa.gov form.
TRACK YOUR BALLOT

Call the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at 610-782-3194

What should you do if you think you made a mistake or forgot to sign your name on the envelope of your ballot?

Contact the Voter Registration Office 610-782-3194
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm
ELECTION DAY Extended Hours 7 am – 8 pm

Extended hours will be added when available
(Hours may change — check with Lehigh County Voter Registration Office, )


If you have returned your mail-in ballot and are concerned you may not have signed or dated your envelope, You are permitted to go to your polling place on election day and ask for a provisional ballot.

DO NOT BRING A MARKED BALLOT TO YOUR POLLING PLACE
Election Officials cannot record it.
You may either take it to a ballot drop box location or vote by Provisional Ballot at your polling place.

Vote Early In-Person at the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office

Voters, who have not previously requested a ballot, may vote in person at the Voter Registration Office.

First Date of Availability TBA by Lehigh County Voter Office.
Deadline to Apply to Vote at the Lehigh County Office is 7 days before election day at 5 pm.

 See Election Calendar


You will need your PennDOT ID number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Please refer to the list of ID requirements for mail-in or absentee ballots for more information.

Lower Level of the Lehigh County Government Center
17 South Seventh Street, Allentown
Voter Office Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm
Extended hours will be added when available. See Election Calendar
(Hours may change — check with Lehigh County Voter Registration Office, 610-782-3194)


Additional information on voting early in-person by mail-in or absentee ballot available at vote.pa.gov

► Vote at Your Polling Place on Election Day, 7 am – 8 pm

If you do not wish to vote by mail, your polling place will be open on Election Day from 7 am to 8 pm. (If you are in line by 8 pm, you may still vote.)
How to use the new Lehigh County Voting System.

Find Your Polling Place This page includes a list polling place changes.

PA VOTER SERVICES POLLING PLACE FINDER

Emergency Alternative Ballot is available in case of an emergency.

In case of an emergency, you can submit an Emergency Application for Alternative Ballot. You must submit this completed application to the County Election Office no later than 8 pm on Election Day. 

Voting by Alternative Ballot

If you have a mail-in ballot and decide you must vote at your polling place

YOU SHOULD BRING YOUR UNMARKED BALLOT and BOTH THE INNER and OUTER ENVELOPES with you, to present to the Judge of Elections. The Judge of Elections will “spoil” your Mail-In Ballot and you must complete and sign an “Elector’s Declaration to Surrender Their Mail Ballot,” before you will be permitted to vote. 

IF YOU BRING A MARKED BALLOT WITH YOU Election Officials cannot record it. You may either take it to a ballot drop box location or vote by Provisional Ballot at your polling place.

IF YOU DO NOT BRING YOUR BALLOT WITH YOU, you may vote by a Provisional Ballot.

Find Your Polling Place PA VOTER SERVICES POLLING PLACE FINDER

Additional Information and Resources


Upper Lehigh Democratic Club FAQ Mail-In Voting
Make Your Plan to Vote Upper Lehigh Democratic Club

Voting by Mail at VOTE.PA.GOV

PA Government Websites: PA Voter Services and VOTE.PA.GOV

Call the Lehigh County Election Office 610-782-3194 or call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).
Link to Lehigh County Election Office FAQ
Lehigh County Voter Registration Office
17 South Seventh Street, Allentown, 610-782-3194
Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm, ELECTION DAY Extended Hours 7 am – 8 pm
Información en español: Si le interesa obtener este formulario en español, llame al 1-877-868-3772.

PA Dems Voting Center includes information, videos, FAQ, hotline phone number for immediate support.

Recursos en Español

Este sitio de vote.pa.gov ofrece un traductor automático. En cualquiera página de este sitio, usted puede usar el Traductor de Google para traducir la información contenida en la página. Para traducir una página, haga clic en la imagen del globo en la parte superior derecha de la página y escoja Spanish de la lista de idiomas.