Voting by Absentee or Mail-in Ballot

Absentee and Mail-in Ballot applications for the May 16, 2023 Municipal Primary Election MUST be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

Voted Absentee and Mail-Ballots MUST be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Office of Election Services or to a designated drop box to be counted.

What are mail ballots?

In Pennsylvania, you now have two options for mail ballots. You may either choose a mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot to request, complete, and return to the Election Services Office

• Absentee ballot – If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you should request this ballot type, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot.
• Mail-in ballot – If you are not an absentee voter, you may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason.
• If you have an emergency you may still be able to get an absentee ballot after the deadline, called an emergency absentee ballot. You can find information about how to get an emergency absentee ballot at the end of this page.

In order to request either ballot type, you must be registered to vote. 

Which ballot should I use?

Mail-In Ballot

Who may apply for a Mail-In ballot application?

You may apply for a Mail-in Ballot if you do not qualify for an Absentee Ballot. You must be registered to vote in order to vote by mail-in ballot.

Apply Online at Vote.pa.gov/ApplyMailBallot 

OR

Download and print an absentee ballot application:

• Mail-in Ballot Application (English)
• Mail-in Ballot Application (Español)
• Apply in person at our office located at the Berks County Services Center, 633 Court Street, Reading PA 19601

Absentee Ballot

Who may apply for an Absentee Ballot application?  

• College students who are not registered to vote at their school address
• People whose work or vacation take them away from the municipality where they live
• Those with a physical disability or illness that prevents them from going to the polling place
• Members of the military
• People who may have a conflict due to the celebration of a religious holiday
• Inmates who haven't been convicted of a felony
• To vote by absentee ballot you must be registered to vote

 Apply Online Vote.pa.gov/ApplyAbsentee

OR

Download and print an absentee ballot application:

• Absentee Ballot Application (English)
• Absentee Ballot Application (Español)
• Apply in person at our office located at the Berks County Services Center, 633 Court Street, Reading PA 19601

Military and overseas voters should visit the information for military and overseas voters web page for information on how they can obtain an absentee ballot.

Emergency Ballot

• In emergency situations (such as an unexpected illness or disability and last-minute absence) following the deadline at 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election, you can request an Emergency Absentee Ballot.

• The deadline to submit your Emergency Absentee Ballot Application to the County Election Services office is 8:00 pm on election day.

  • Emergency Application for Absentee Ballot (English)
  • Authorized Representative for Emergency Absentee Ballot Form (English)
  • Solicitud de Papeleta Ausente por Causa de Emergencia (Español)
  • Autorizar un Representante para Recoger/Devolver Papeleta de Emergencia (Español)

Request to Cancel Permanent Status

• If you wish to cancel your Permanent Absentee or Mail-in Status, complete the form below and mail or personally deliver to our office.  Faxed or emailed forms will not be accepted. 

Request to Cancel Permanent Absentee or Mail-in Status Form