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Philadelphia voters can visit satellite election offices or secure drop boxes across the city to turn in their ballots for the 2020 general election. Find a list and map of the locations below.
You can bring your own ballot to any of these locations — you don’t have to find the one in your voting division. You cannot drop off someone else’s ballot for them without filling out some paperwork first.
At the drop boxes, you can securely return your ballot 24 hours a day. You can also return your voted ballot to a satellite election office. All will be open for drop-offs through 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Note: Unlike at the polls, being in line to drop off your mail ballot doesn’t count; the time cutoff is strict.
The deadline to apply for a mail ballot for the 2020 election has passed (it was Oct. 27). However, if you already applied but didn’t receive your ballot in the mail, you can still get a replacement at one of the satellite voting centers from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
This effort is funded by a $10M grant from the nonpartisan Center for Tech and Civic Life. The money is also funding new sorting equipment to process votes more efficiently, a hazard pay bump for poll workers, and extra COVID-protocol cleaning for polling places. If you want to vote in person on Nov. 3, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
MORE ELECTION 2020:
- What’s on the Philly ballot this year? Guide to candidates, ballot questions and more
- Confused by the Pennsylvania ballot tracker? Here’s what your status means
- Map: Polling places in Philly that will open on Nov. 3
- What if you applied for a ballot and now want to vote in person?
- Do you need photo ID to vote in PA? Not unless you’re a first-timer
- Avoid a ‘naked ballot’: Instructions for voting by mail
Check the map and table below for address details.
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The deadline for the city to receive mail ballots is to 5 p.m. on Nov. 6, the Friday following Election Day, for any ballots sent through the mail on or before Nov. 3. Several legal challenges to this extension means the earlier you return your ballot, the better.
Important: In order for mail ballots to count, they must be enclosed in the special secrecy envelope that fits within the regular envelope. (No “naked ballots.”)
If you applied to vote by mail but decide you want to vote in person on Nov. 3 instead, you can bring your ballot to your designated polling place — as well as both envelopes — and hand it to the poll worker. The judge of elections will need to hold up the line and fill out an affidavit, after which you can then step into the voting booth.
