Election Administration Tools

Act 12 Guidance

• Guidance on Election Operations During COVID-19
• Guidelines for Staffing Polling Places for 2020 Primary Election
• For Building Administrators and Proprietors: Use of Facilities as Polling Places during COVID-19

Act 77 Guidance

• Permanent Voter List Guidance (PDF)

Administrative

• Absentee and Mail-in Return Guidance (PDF)
• Examination of Absentee and Mail-in Ballot Return Envelopes (PDF)
• Guidance Concerning Civilian Absentee and Mail-in Ballot Procedures (PDF)
  
• Pennsylvania Guidance for Mail-in and Absentee Ballots Received from the United States Postal Service after 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 (PDF)
  
• Canvassing Segregated Mail-In and Civilian Absentee Ballots Received by Mail After 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 And Before 5:00 P.M. On Friday, November 6, 2020 (PDF)
  

Electronic Voting - Use, Implementation and Operation

• Directive Concerning the Use, Implementation, and Operation of Electronic Voting Systems by the County Boards of Elections (PDF)
• Directive Concerning Purchase of Voting Systems on or after 2/9/2018 (PDF)
• Directive on Logic & Accuracy Testing (PDF)

Voting Advisories and Guides 

• Voter Identification requirements (PDF)
• Guidance on Voter Intimidation (PDF)
• Guidance on Rules in Effect at the Polling Place (PDF) 

 Absentee and Alternative Voting 

• Voting Procedures for the Elderly and Handicapped (PDF)
• Accessible Remote Absentee and Mail-In Voting for Voters with Disabilities (PDF)
  
• Absentee and Alternative Ballot Deadlines (PDF) - updates coming soon
• What to Know (PDF) - updates coming soon
  

UOCAVA Compliance Measures

• Protocol (PDF)

Voting System Certification

• Directive concerning the conduct of electronic voting system examinations by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth (PDF)
• Attachment A: Request for Examination (PDF)
• Attachment B: Representation Affidavit (PDF)
• Attachment C: Explanation of the Pennsylvania Method (PDF)  
• Attachment D: Indemnification and Warranty (PDF) 
• Attachment E: Pennsylvania Voting System Security Standard (PDF) 

 Electronic Voting System (EVS) Procedures

• NEW 7/8/2021: Directive concerning access to electronic voting systems, including but not limited to the imaging of software and memory files, access to related internal components, and the consequences to county boards of allowing such access
  
• Guidance Concerning Electronic Voting System Security (PDF)
• Use of Emergency Paper Ballots (PDF) 
• Post Election Reconciliation Checklist (PDF)
• Election Results Reporting and Ballot Definition Directive (PDF)
• Guidance for Primary Ballot to be compliant with 25 P.S. § 3031.9(e)
  

Polling Place

• Guidance Concerning Voter Privacy at the Polling Place (PDF)
  
• Frequently Asked Questions about Schools Serving as Polling Places for November 2020 Election (PDF)
  

Provisional Balloting

• Provisional Ballot Guidance (PDF) 
  

Poll Watchers

• Guidance Concerning Poll Watchers and Authorized Representatives (PDF)
  

Voter Registration

• HAVA-Matching Drivers' Licenses or Social Security Numbers for Voter Registration Applications (PDF)
• Verification of Driver's License and SSN Information (PDF)

Miscellaneous

• County Election Administration Preparation Checklist (PDF)
• Election Statutory Reference Guide (PDF)
• Alteration of Election Districts (PDF)
• Post-Election General Reconciliation Checklist (PDF)
• 2020 Voting Fact Sheet for Long Term Care Facilities 
  
• Statewide Return And Recount Directive And Procedures
  

Archived Documents superseded by newer versions

•  EVS Pre, During, and Post-Election Day Procedures (PDF)
• EVS Activities Prior to Poll Opening (PDF)

Useful Links

• United States Election Assistance Commission
• Federal Voting Assistance Program