Pennsylvania Voting FAQ, Your Voting Plan, and Your Rights

Vote for Justice 2025

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.

November 4, 2025 is the General Election

Prior to Election Day

You can register to vote if you are:

  1. A U.S. citizen,
  2. A resident of Pennsylvania, and
  3. At least 18 years old on or before Election Day.
  • Deadline to register to vote: October 20, 2025
  • Deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot: October 28, 2025
  • Deadline for returning your completed mail-in or absentee ballot: Must be received by your county election office by 8:00 p.m. on November 4, 2025 (postmarks do not count).

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 – November 4, 2025

Voting In-Person

  • Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • When you arrive, check in with the poll workers.
  • You will either hand-mark a paper ballot or use a ballot-marking device, depending on your county.
  • Watch a demo of your county’s voting system: vote.pa.gov

Voting by Mail-In Ballot

What’s on the Ballot in 2025

The Municipal General Election decides many important local and county offices, plus judgeships. What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, but here are the highlights for Pennsylvania in November 2025. Research your ballot online prior to voting using Vote411 or Ballotpedia 

Local and County Offices

  • Mayor races: including Pittsburgh (other cities may vary).
  • City Councils and Borough Councils: members who make decisions on budgets, zoning, and local policies.
  • County leadership: e.g. County Executives (Lehigh County), County Councils (Allegheny County), County Commissioners in other counties.
  • School Boards: shaping policies on curriculum, safety, and funding.
  • Township Supervisors and Local Officials: responsible for municipal services.

Judicial Elections

  • Judicial retention elections: where voters decide if sitting judges stay in office for another term by voting “yes” or “no.”
  • Magisterial District Judges in some areas.

Poll Worker Positions

  • Judge of Elections, Majority Inspector, Minority Inspector: the officials who actually run polling places.

Ballot Questions / Referenda

  • Some municipalities will have referenda (yes/no questions) on issues such as changes to city charters, public utilities, and governance rules.

FAQ 

Registering to Vote

  1. I recently registered. How do I confirm I’m registered?
    • It takes a few days for your county election office to process forms. Check your status here: Check Registration Status. For help, call 866-OUR-VOTE.
  2. I recently moved. Am I still registered?
    • Yes, but update your address to vote near your new home or to vote by mail. Update online or call 1-877-VOTESPA.
    • If you moved less than 30 days before the election, you must vote at your old polling place.
    • If you moved from out-of-state, you need to register in Pennsylvania.
  3. Can I register and vote if I have a criminal record?
    • Yes, unless you are currently incarcerated for a felony.
    • You can vote if you are on probation, on parole, under house arrest, or serving time for a misdemeanor.

Voting or registering to vote if you are not a U.S. citizen is illegal and may prevent you from becoming a citizen.

Voting In-Person

Where do I go to vote?

  • Find your polling place: vote.pa.gov. Or call 866-OUR-VOTE or your county election office.

Do I need a photo ID?

  • Only if it’s your first time voting in that polling place.
  • Acceptable IDs: Driver’s license, U.S. passport, student/employee ID, utility bill, bank statement, or government check.

What if I’m not on the list of voters?

  • Ask officials to check again or look at the supplemental poll books. 
  • If still not listed, request a provisional ballot (they must give you one).
  • Report problems to 866-OUR-VOTE.

What is a provisional ballot?

  • A ballot used when your eligibility is in question.
  • It will be counted once officials confirm you were eligible.

Can my right to vote be challenged at the polls?

  • Yes, but only if someone has reason to believe you don’t live in the precinct or aren’t who you say you are. Challenges must follow legal procedures.

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.