Do you have a plan to vote early in Allegheny County?
With the clock ticking down toward Pennsylvania's voter registration deadline, voting ahead of Election Day is already underway in Allegheny County. Around the county, there are numerous options for returning mail-in and absentee ballots early, as well as places where you can register to vote in person.
As you make a plan to vote, these are the key points to remember.
Check your Pennsylvania voter registration status
If you're unsure of your voter registration status in Pennsylvania, you can check it online here.
What is the deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania?
The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 19.
Can I vote early in Allegheny County?
You can drop off your absentee or mail-in ballot before Election Day in Allegheny County. The county has numerous sites that accept completed ballots.
Where can I drop off my mail-in or absentee ballot in Allegheny County?
The first round of satellite voting locations,
where voters can drop off mail-in or absentee ballots early, has closed, but another round is set to open over the weekend of Oct. 17. Here's where they're located:
- CCAC Homewood
- North Park Ice Rink
- South Park Ice Rink
These locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 17, Oct. 18, Oct. 24 and Oct. 25. Additionally, the County Office Building is open every day through Election Day, and it offers services such as voter registration in addition to ballot return. Check Allegheny County's website for the County Office Building's hours, as they vary depending on the day.
Additional ballot return sites will open on Friday, Oct. 30 and remain open through Election Day. Hours vary by day and can be viewed at Allegheny County's website. These sites will be accepting completed ballots:
- Allegheny County Emergency Services Building
- Avalon Public Library
- Boyce Park Four Seasons Lodge
- Carnegie Library Lawrenceville
- Carnegie Library Squirrel Hill
- CCAC Center for Education, Innovation and Training
- CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center
- Community Library of Allegheny Valley
- Dormont Pool
- Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank
- North Park Ice Rink
- South Park Ice Rink
- County Office Building
Where is my polling location in Allegheny County?
You can find your polling place in Allegheny County through the Pennsylvania State Department here, but if you're dropping off your ballot early, it can be dropped off at any satellite election office or ballot-only return location.
When are mail-in and absentee ballots due in Allegheny County?
Mail-in and absentee ballots must be returned to the county by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
What's the deadline to register for mail-in voting in Allegheny County?
The deadline to apply for a 2026 midterm election mail-in ballot in Allegheny County is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
How do I register for a mail-in ballot in Allegheny County?
You can register online, by mail or in person. Allegheny County's application can be found online here.
What documents do I need to register for a mail-in ballot?
When you apply for your mail-in ballot, you'll need your Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID number, or the last four digits of your social security number.
If you don't have these forms of identification, you should have another form of photo identification such as a U.S. passport, U.S. Military ID, photo employee identification issued by any level of government, photo employee identification issued by an accredited state public or private higher education institution, or a photo identification issued by a Pennsylvania care facility.
How to vote if you'll be outside of Allegheny County on Election Day
You can request an absentee ballot ahead of time if you know you'll be out of Allegheny County on Election Day. Submit the application by 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.
If there's a last-minute emergency that requires you to be out of the county or an unexpected illness or disability, you can request an emergency absentee ballot after 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.
The application form is available online on the Pennsylvania Department of State's website and can be submitted to Allegheny County Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day, the same time absentee ballots are also due.
Ballot options and deadlines for voters with disabilities
Disabled voters who utilize screen readers and assistive devices may be eligible to receive an accessible remote ballot.
To get an accessible remote ballot, an individual must be a registered Pennsylvania voter, apply for a mail or absentee ballot, and submit a request for an accessible remote ballot online, through the mail or via email.
When Allegheny County Elections has processed the request, staff will send out a packet of accessible voting material, including a return envelope and a secrecy envelope, as well as an email with instructions for how to access the ballot.
Completed ballots must be received by Allegheny County Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Can a family member or friend drop off my Pennsylvania ballot for me?
Not necessarily. Under state law, voters must return their own ballots, though there's an exception for voters with a disability who have designated someone in writing through the "Authorize a Designated Agent Form" to deliver their ballot. That form can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of State's website.
Can I see if my Pennsylvania ballot was accepted and counted?
Yes. You can track your ballot's status online at the Pennsylvania Department of State's website. Additionally, if you provide your email address to Allegheny County Elections when you register to vote or apply for a mail ballot, you may receive an email when your returned ballot is received, as well as other information about its status.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Key deadlines to know before voting in 2026 midterm election in Allegheny
