General Primary Election 2026 Voting Guide

May 19 is the General Primary Election.

• Registered members of the Democratic or Republican parties are able to vote in this election for candidates and ballot measures. Independent voters can vote for ballot measures. The deadline to update your voter registration is May 4.
• The deadline to register for a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 12 at 5 PM.
• Early “Over the Counter” voting is available May 9 & 10 (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM) at official satellite voting locations.
• If you vote by mail-in or absentee ballot, complete it in black or blue ink, place it inside the privacy envelope, place the privacy envelope inside the mailing envelope, then sign, date, and stamp the outside of the sealed mailing envelope.
• Mail-in ballots and absentee ballots must be received by the Allegheny County Elections Division before May 19 at 8 PM. Check your ballot or ballot application status online. 
• Drop off your completed mail-in or absentee ballot at one of the designated drop box locations or at the Allegheny County Elections Division (map here). The drop box location closest to Moon Library is Allegheny County Emergency Service at 150 Hookstown Grade Road. It is open May 15 & 18 (11 AM – 7 PM) and May 16 & 17 (9 AM – 5 PM).
• Unless you are the designated agent for a disabled person, you can only drop off your own ballot. 
• Find your polling place on the Pennsylvania Voter Services website.
• Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM on Election Day. If you are in line at 8 PM, you are still allowed to vote.
• An ID is not required to vote unless you are voting for the first time at your polling place. You may show a photo ID or a non-photo ID if it has your full name and current address on it. Read the entire list of acceptable IDs online.
• If you have a mail-in or absentee ballot and want to vote in person instead, take it, the privacy envelope, and the mailing envelope to your polling station on Election Day. After you sign a declaration that you have not voted yet, you will get a new ballot.
• If you are unsure about your registration or your mail-in or absentee ballot status, you may cast a provisional ballot at your polling station.
• If you think you have found an illegal ballot return, destroyed or tampered ballots, or your ability to vote was impeded by intimidation, bias, or lack of appropriate aid, you may file a complaint by calling the Pennsylvania Department of State at 877-VOTES-PA (877-868-3772) or by completing an online form. You can also contact the national organization Vote411.org by calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
• Check the election results on Allegheny County’s website or Pennsylvania’s website.

Before You Vote

• Check your voter registration. If you did not change your address or your name since you last voted, then your registration is still valid.
• If you changed your name or address since you last voted and did not update your voter registration before May 4, you may request a provisional ballot at your polling station on Election Day.
• Check your polling place online.
• View a sample ballot so you know who or what to vote for on Election Day. If you don’t know your ward or district, check for the numbers listed after your municipality’s name on your polling place information.
• Learn about the candidates and causes on the ballot by doing your research ahead of time. Read 90.5 WESA’s Primary Election 2026 articles. Page through the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh’s voter’s guide. Vote411.org provides personalized ballot and voting information. You can also look at each candidate’s website to examine their platforms in depth.
• If you have any other questions about voting or your registration, check the State of Pennsylvania’s Official Voter Information Website or Allegheny County’s elections website. You can also call the Allegheny County Elections Division at 412-350-4500.

Voting with a mail-in or absentee ballot

• The deadline to register for a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 12.
• If you applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot and you have not received it yet, check your application status or contact the Allegheny County Elections Division.
• Complete your ballot with black or blue ink. Place your ballot inside the privacy envelope, then place the privacy envelope inside the mailing envelope. Sign, date, and stamp the outside of the mailing envelope.
• Unless you are the designated agent for a disabled person, you can only drop off your own ballot.
• If a voter is disabled, they may assign someone as their designated agent for voter assistance. After completing the mail-in or absentee ballot application, the voter and their designated agent must complete the Designated Agent Form.
• If the disabled voter uses screen readers or assistive devices, they may request an Accessible Remote Mail-in Ballot online, via email, or by mailing the PDF form. The disabled voter will receive instructions on how to vote in their mail or email.
• Submit your mail-in or absentee ballot as soon as possible. Mail-in ballots and absentee ballots must be received by the Allegheny County Elections Division before May 19 at 8 PM.
• Drop off your completed mail-in or absentee ballot at one of the designated drop box locations or at theAllegheny County Elections Division (map here). The drop box location closest to Moon Library is Allegheny County Emergency Service at 150 Hookstown Grade Road. It is open May 15 & 18 (11 AM – 7 PM) and May 16 & 17 (9 AM – 5 PM).
• If you have a mail-in or absentee ballot and want to vote in person instead, take it, the privacy envelope, and the mailing envelope to your polling station on Election Day. After you sign a declaration that you have not voted yet, you will get a new ballot.
• Check the status of your mail-in or absentee ballot online to ensure it was counted. If you are unsure if it was counted or haven’t received your ballot, you may submit a provisional ballot in person. Provisional ballots are counted once your registration is confirmed.
• If you think you have found an illegal ballot return, destroyed or tampered ballots, or your ability to vote was impeded by intimidation, bias, or lack of appropriate aid, you may file a complaint by calling the Pennsylvania Department of State at 877-VOTES-PA (877-868-3772) or by completing an online form. You can also contact the national organization Vote411.org by calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Voting in person

• Early “Over the Counter” voting is available May 9 & 10 (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM) at official satellite voting locations.
• Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM. If you are in line at 8 PM, you are still allowed to vote.
• An ID is not required to vote unless you are voting for the first time at your polling place. You may show a photo ID or a non-photo ID if it has your full name and current address on it. Acceptable forms of photo ID include driver’s license, passport, U.S. Armed Forces ID, and student ID. Acceptable forms of non-photo ID include a current utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck. Read the entire list of acceptable IDs online.
• If your voter registration is challenged or you are unsure if your mail-in or absentee ballot was counted, you are allowed to cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are counted once your registration is confirmed.
• If you have a mail-in or absentee ballot and want to vote in person, take your mail-in or absentee ballot to your polling station on Election Day. After you sign a declaration that you have not voted yet, you will get a new ballot.
• If you are disabled, you may bring someone with you or ask somebody to provide voting assistance. Complete the Declaration of the Need of Assistance to Vote with your voting assistant. Voting assistants can be election officials, friends, family, or another voter of your choice. Voting assistance includes aid for disabilities, illiteracy, and non-native English speakers. Your employer, union representative, or the Judge of Elections cannot provide voting assistance.
• If you are disabled or above the age of 65 and are unable to vote at your polling place, you may request an Emergency Alternative Ballot.
• If you think you have found an illegal ballot return, destroyed or tampered ballots, or your ability to vote was impeded by intimidation, bias, or lack of appropriate aid, you may file a complaint by calling the Pennsylvania Department of State at 877-VOTES-PA (877-868-3772) or by completing an online form. You can also contact the national organization Vote411.org by calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

After You Vote

• Check the election returns on Allegheny County’s live results website or  www.electionreturns.pa.gov.
• If you cast a mail-in or absentee ballot, check if it was counted online or by calling 877-VOTES-PA (877-868-3772). Ballots received by the end of Election Day (May 20) will be counted.
• If you cast a provisional ballot, check if it was counted by calling 877-VOTES-PA (877-868-3772) or by checking online. The Allegheny County Elections Division is required to verify your provisional ballot within 7 days of Election Day.

If you have any other questions about the election, contact one of our librarians or the Allegheny County Elections office at 412-350-4500.

Thank you for doing your civic duty.