Pennsylvania

Members of the Pillars of the Community have asked the following questions about Pennsylvania’s election system. Here is what the Commonwealth says about voting and elections. In our subsequent meetings the Pillars and election officials will continue to discuss and kick the tires around these subjects.

Is voting by mail reliable?

As the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website explains, there are safeguards in the process to make voting by mail reliable. Each mail-in ballot has a unique ID number, which ensures that each voter can only receive and return one ballot. The system flags any attempt to vote multiple times by matching the ID numbers. Once a mail-in ballot is returned, the voter’s record is updated to reflect that their ballot has been cast. If a voter tries to vote in person, they can only do so using a provisional ballot, which will be reviewed to ensure that no duplicate ballot is counted.

What security measures are in place to protect my vote?

Pennsylvania employs multiple layers of security to protect votes. The state’s voter registration databases are secured with continuous monitoring, and officials respond quickly to any alerts. Pennsylvania works closely with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to conduct in-depth cybersecurity assessments. 

Election results are physically delivered and certified rather than transmitted over networks to prevent tampering. The certified voting systems used in Pennsylvania are not connected to the internet to guard against any  risk of hacking. Additionally, encryption and other protective technologies are employed, and independent vulnerability assessments are conducted regularly to ensure system integrity.

Voting equipment is inspected, tested and secured with tamper-evident seals before elections. Since 2019, all counties have implemented new voting systems that require paper ballots, adding an extra layer of security by providing a verifiable paper trail.

Is it possible for someone to vote more than once?

The voting system in Pennsylvania is designed to prevent duplicate voting. Each voter is issued a unique mail-in or absentee ballot, tracked by the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors (SURE) system. This system ensures that if a voter submits multiple ballots or tries to vote both by mail and in person, the attempt is flagged, and only one vote is counted. If a mail ballot is submitted but the voter is unsure that it was received and then appears at the polls to cast a ballot in person, he or she will receive only a provisional ballot, which is only counted if officials confirm the mail ballot was not processed.

Can non-citizens vote in elections?

No, non-citizens may not vote, and Pennsylvania has procedures in place to prevent non-citizens from voting in Pennsylvania elections. To register to vote, individuals must be U.S. citizens, residents of Pennsylvania for at least 30 days and at least 18 years old by the next election. PennDOT screens for these criteria, and only those who provide proof of U.S. citizenship can register to vote.

Are voting machines accurate?

All machines are tested and certified by both the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and the Pennsylvania Department of State before they are used in any election. Before each election, counties conduct Logic and Accuracy (L&A) tests to ensure that every machine is properly recording and counting votes. These tests are open to the public for transparency. Pennsylvania also ensures that all voting systems produce a voter-verifiable paper trail, allowing for post-election audits like Risk-Limiting Audits (RLA) to verify the accuracy of the count. Additionally, voting machines are not connected to the internet, to guard against the risk of hacking or tampering.

Can election officials influence the outcome of an election?

Pennsylvania has strict measures in place to prevent election officials from influencing election outcomes. Bipartisan poll watchers and representatives from political parties monitor the process, ensuring transparency. All election officials must take an oath of impartiality, and Risk-Limiting Audits (RLA) are conducted after each election to verify the accuracy of results. Voting results are securely tracked, audited, and certified by independent bodies, with extensive security protocols in place to prevent any undue influence. In addition, recounts and contests that may be filed after an election provide a further check.

When are absentee/mail-in ballots counted?

Pennsylvania law allows absentee and mail-in ballots to be processed beginning at 7 a.m. on election day, but they cannot be recorded until after the polls close on election day.