Election Directives and Guidance

Pending litigation or legislation could change guidance at any time.

Accessible & Alternative Voting Options

Voting Procedures for the Elderly and Handicapped 1.1
Updated: September 25, 2023

Guidance on Language Access 1.0
Issued: January 11, 2023

Accessible Remote Absentee and Mail-In Voting for Voters with Disabilities 1.2
Issued: September 26, 2022

Voting Fact Sheet for Long Term Care Facilities
Updated: August 17, 2022

Voting Systems

Directive on Logic & Accuracy Testing 2.0
Issued: September 25, 2023

Directive Concerning the Use, Implementation, and Operation of Electronic Voting Systems by the County Boards of Elections
Issued: September 25, 2023

Directive Regarding the Uniform Reporting of Voting System Malfunctions to the Department of State
Issued: September 22, 2023

Risk-Limiting Audit Directive 1.0
Issued: September 30, 2022

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
Issued: July 8, 2021

Guidance for Primary Ballot to be compliant with 25 P.S. § 3031.9€ 1.0
Issued: March 31, 2021

Guidance Concerning Electronic Voting System Security 2.0
Issued: October 13, 2020

Election Results Reporting and Ballot Definition Directive 1.1
Issued: August 27, 2020

Directive concerning the conduct of electronic voting system examinations by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Issued: June 12, 2018

Attachment A:  Request for Examination
Issued: September 11, 2017

Attachment B: Representation
Issued: June 12, 2018

Attachment C:  Explanation of the Pennsylvania Method
Issued: June 12, 2018

Attachment D: Indemnification and Warranty
Issued: September 11, 2017

Attachment E: Pennsylvania Voting System Security Standard
Issued: June 12, 2018

Use of Emergency Paper Ballots
Issued: August 1, 2008

Absentee & Mail-in Voting

Directive Concerning the Form of Absentee and Mail-in Ballot Materials 1.0
Issued: November 28, 2023

Military and Overseas Voters Guidance 2.1
Issued: October 18, 2023

Guidance Concerning Federal Voters under UOCAVA 2.1
Issued: October 11, 2023

Absentee and Mail-in Ballot In-Person Return Guidance 2.0
Issued: September 25, 2023

Permanent Voter List Guidance 2.0
Issued: September 25, 2023

Guidance Concerning Civilian Absentee and Mail-in Ballot Procedures 3.0
Issued: April 3, 2023

Guidance Concerning Examination Of Absentee And Mail-in Ballot Return Envelopes 4.0
Issued: April 3, 2023

Polling Place Management

Provisional Voting Guidance 2.0
Issued: October 12, 2023

Guidance Concerning Voter Privacy at the Polling Place 1.1
Issued: September 25, 2023

Guidance Concerning Poll Watchers and Authorized Representatives 2.1
Issued: October 5, 2022

Voter Identification Requirements For Voting 1.0
Issued: September 26, 2022

Guidance on Voter Intimidation and Discriminatory Conduct 3.0
Issued: September 26, 2022

Guidance on Rules in Effect at the Polling Place
Issued: October 2016

Election Administration

Statewide Return And Recount Directive And Procedures
Issued: September 25, 2023

Act 2022–88 Election Integrity Grant Program Guidance 1.2
 Issued September 25, 2023

Election Statutory Reference Guide
Issued: August 16, 2021

Voting Fact Sheet for PA National Guard
Issued: September 1, 2020

Alteration of Election Districts
Issued: November 6, 2014

County Election Administration Preparation Checklist
Issued: November 1, 2014

Voting Rights of Convicted Felons, Convicted Misdemeanants and Pretrial Detainees

Voter Registration

HAVA-Matching Drivers' Licenses or Social Security Numbers for Voter Registration Applications
Issued: 2018

Verification of Driver's License and SSN Information
Issued: August 9, 2006

Useful Links

United States Election Assistance Commission

Federal Voting Assistance Program