Pennsylvania Voting FAQ, Your Voting Plan, and Your Rights

Vote for Justice 2024

Your vote this November is critical! Our non-partisan Pennsylvania and Federal Voter Guides below will provide Muslim voters with the tools they need to make informed choices at the polls this November. Review them to see how your congressmembers, senators, state senators, and state reps voted on issues that are important for our communities.

Disclaimer: As a non-profit organization, CAIR-PA cannot endorse or make recommendations on candidates running for office. Instead, we focus on educating the public about the importance of voting through these guides and how to fill out and submit their ballot.

2024 Pennsylvania Voter Guide (PDF)

2024 Presidential Voter Guide (PDF)

November 5th, 2024 is the General Election

Read/Download: Khutbah “Voting is an Obligation” PDF (2020)

VOTE

Register in a few minutes at pa.cair.com/vote

Your Voting Plan and Your Rights

On Election Day

  1. Voting in-person
  • Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
  • When you arrive, check in with the poll workers.
  • Then, you will either hand mark a paper ballot or cast your vote using a machine called a ballot marking device. Find a video demo of your county’s voting system so you can be prepared.
  1. Mail-in Ballot 

FAQ – Registering to Vote

  1. I recently registered to vote. How do I make sure I really am registered?
  • It takes a few days for the county election office to review your registration form and add you to the list.
  • You can check your registration status by calling your county board of election or going online at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/voterregistrationstatus.aspx
  • If you get a notice that your registration has been rejected, or you have a question, call 866-OUR-VOTE for assistance.
  1. I am a registered voter, but I recently moved. Am I still registered to vote?
  • Yes. But, if you want to vote close to your new home, or if you want to vote by mail, you will need to update your registration with your new address. You can change your address online with the PA Department of State. If you want to register in person, or on paper, call 1-877-VOTESPA for help.
  • You may also go back to your old polling place and vote there.
  • If you moved less than 30 days before an election, you must vote at your old polling location. If you moved from out-of-state, you need to register to vote in Pennsylvania.
  1. Can I register and vote if I have a criminal record?
  • Yes, you can vote as long as you are not currently incarcerated for a felony. You can vote if you are on probation or parole, are under house arrest, or are serving time for a misdemeanor conviction.

Voting or even registering to vote when you are not a U.S. citizen is a crime and can prevent you from becoming a citizen.

FAQ – Voting in Person 

  1. Where do I go to vote?
  • You can find your polling place at www.vote.pa.gov. by calling
  • 866-OUR-VOTE or by calling your county election office.
  1. Do I need a photo ID to vote in person?
  • No. Only voters who are voting for the first time in their polling location need to show ID. You can use a photo ID, including an employee or student ID if you have one. You can also use a non-photo ID, ike a utility bill or bank statement that has your address. You should not be asked for your ID if you have voted before at that polling location.
  1. What if they tell me I am not on the list of voters?
  • First, ask the election official to check the list again or to look at the supplemental poll book (a list of recent changes to the voting rolls).
  • Offer to spell your name. If you believe you’re at the right polling place but your name isn’t on the voter list, ask for a provisional ballot, they are required to give you one. Please report your experience to 866-OUR-VOTE.
  1. What is a provisional ballot?
  • A provisional ballot is used to record your vote when there’s a question about your eligibility or if you requested a mail-ballot. It will be counted if election officials determine that you were eligible to vote.
  1. Can my right to vote be challenged at the poll?
  • Yes, but only for certain reasons and by certain people. An election official, poll watcher, or other voter may only challenge a voter if they think the voter does not live in the precinct or is not the person the voter says they are.

WHY VOTE?

Pennsylvania is a swing state, so each vote carries a lot of weight on the federal level. A general election is an opportunity to:

  • Cast your vote for those who align best with your values.
  • Take part in choosing who will be your voice in our democracy.

Election Protection Hotlines:

  • ENGLISH: 866-OUR-VOTE or 866-687-8683 (call or text)
    • Election Day, November 7: 6am – 9pm ET
    • November 08 – 10: 10 am – 6 pm ET
  • SPANISH/ENGLISH: 888-VE-Y-VOTA or 888-839-8682
    • M-F 8am-8pm ET
  • ASIAN LANGUAGES/ENGLISH: 888-API-VOTE or 888-274-8683
    • English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali
    • Voicemail return only
  • ARABIC/ENGLISH: 844-YALLA-US or 844-925-5287
    • Voicemail return only

Note: As a nonpartisan organization, CAIR can encourage American Muslims to participate in national and state elections, conduct voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, provide training programs, issue briefings, organize candidate forums, volunteer in campaigns, and lead get-out-the-vote drives. Nonprofits cannot engage in political activities that support one candidate or party over another, but we are committed to making our community’s voice and vote heard.