Keystone Today

Pennsylvania voters have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday to cast their in-person ballots or return vote-by-mail ballots for the 2024 general election. As voters head to the polls, Common Cause Pennsylvania is emphasizing that it may take days for election officials to finalize results.

“This election is going to come down to the wire and it’s crucial all voters have a say in Pennsylvania’s future,” said Philip Hensley-Robin, Common Cause Pennsylvania Executive Director. “After the voting, the counting begins, and counting every vote accurately takes time. While we’re all anxious for the results, the most important thing is that every vote is counted, and we respect our voting process.”

In Pennsylvania, elections officials cannot begin processing mail-in ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day. Unlike other states that start counting earlier in a process known as “pre-canvassing,” Pennsylvania begins on Election Day itself. Consequently, millions of votes are unlikely to be counted by midnight on Election Day, and leads in races may change as counting continues into the following day.

In 2020, 76% of registered voters cast a ballot with 38% of those votes being cast before Election Day.

Voters facing challenges or questions regarding the voting process are encouraged to contact a voter assistance hotline available in multiple languages:

- ENGLISH: 866-OUR-VOTE / 866-687-8683

- SPANISH: 888-VE-Y-VOTA / 888-839-8682

- ASIAN LANGUAGES: 888-API-VOTE / 888-274-8683

- ARABIC: 844-YALLA-US / 844-925-5287

Key information for Election Day includes:

First-time voters must bring photo or non-photo ID. The busiest times at polling places are typically morning and evening; voters are advised to visit during less busy times if possible. Polls open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., and those in line at or before closing will be allowed to vote.

Election officials cannot begin processing mail-in ballots until after polls open at 7 a.m., making it unlikely that winners will be officially called on Election Day.