One of Philadelphia's mail ballot drop boxes in 2020

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Mail ballot drop boxes are open for the 2021 general election in Philadelphia. Alternately, you can drop off your ballot at one of the City Commissioners’ pop-up events.

The list and map below shows 15 permanent locations, all of which have 24/7 access, are continuously monitored by surveillance camera, and are emptied nightly, according Deputy City Commissioner Nick Custodio.

A schedule of staffed mobile ballot drop-off events is also below.

The Nov. 2 election features few contested city races, but several contests for influential statewide judicial positions. There’s also a Republican challenger trying to unseat the incumbent district attorney, and four questions about changes to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter. (See our annual Procrastinator’s Guide for an explanation of everything you’ll see.)

This marks the second year with no-excuse mail voting in Pennsylvania. The deadline to register to vote in Pa.’s general election was Oct. 18. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is Oct. 26.

Dropping off your ballot

If you already have your ballot, you can return it at any of the locations across the city (see below). You don’t have to find the box in your voting division. But you cannot drop off someone else’s ballot for them without filling out this paperwork first.

Ballots must be received by election officials by the time the polls close: 8 p.m. on Nov. 2.

Applying for a mail ballot

Haven’t applied for yours yet? The deadline for county election boards to receive applications is Oct. 26.

You can apply online at VotesPA.com/mailballotapply, or do it in person at City Hall. Registered Philadelphia voters can go to the office in Room 140 and apply, vote on, and return a mail ballot all in the same visit. The office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Checking your ballot status

The Pa. Department of State operates this online tracker where you can check your ballot status.

If there’s a date in the “Ballot Mailed On” box, the ballot is officially on its way.

If the “Status” column says “pending,” your ballot is either being prepared to send out, or in the mail — or has already arrived, since the state can’t tell when you have it in hand. If the “Status” column says canceled, chances are the U.S. Postal Service tried to deliver it, but couldn’t, so it was returned to sender.

Getting a replacement ballot

If your ballot is still missing, you can request a replacement by calling 215-686-3469, filling out the City Commissioners online form, or going to Room 140 in City Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Ballot drop boxes accessible 24/7

All locations are continuously monitored by surveillance camera, according to the Philadelphia City Commissioners. (Note: Neighborhoods are approximations!)

  • City Hall (South Broad apron): 1400 JFK Blvd. (Center City)
  • Riverview Place (Delaware Avenue side of the building): 520 N. Columbus Blvd. (Delaware Waterfront)
  • Eastern State Penitentiary: 2027 Fairmount Ave. (Fairnount)
  • Pelbano Rec: 8101 Bustleton Ave. (Rhawnhurst)
  • Ford PAL Rec: 609 Snyder Ave. (Whitman)
  • Smith Playground: 2100 S. 24th St. (Point Breeze)
  • Vogt Rec: 4131 Unruh Ave. (Tacony)
  • Independence Branch Library: 18 S. 7th St (Historic District)
  • Dorothy Emanuel Rec: 8500 Pickering Street (Cedarbrook)
  • Pleasant Playground: 305 Slocum Street (East Mt. Airy)
  • Shissler Rec: 1800 Blair St. (Fishtown)
  • Chalfont Playground: 4382 Deerpath Ln. (Milbrook)
  • Stenton Playground: 4600 N. 16th St. (Hunting Park)
  • Shepard Rec: 5700 Haverford Ave. (Haddington)
  • Kendrick Rec: 5800 Ridge Ave. (Roxborough)

Staffed pop-up ballot drop events

  • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23: W.C. Longstreth Elementary, 5700 Willows Ave. (Kingsessing)
  • 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23: Lincoln Financial Field, Lot K, 11th Street & Pattison Avenue (Sports Complex)
  • 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23: Chalmers Playground, 29th Street & Chalmers Avenue (Strawberry Mansion)
  • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24: Shawmont Elementary, 535 Shawmont Ave. (Roxborough)
  • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24: Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St. (North Broad)
  • 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24: J. Hampton Moore School, 6900 Summerdale Ave. (Oxford Circle)
  • 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24: Feltonville Intermediate School, 238 E. Wyoming Ave. (Feltonville)
  • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30: Bartram High School, 2401 S. 67th St. (Elmwood Park)
  • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30: Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St. (North Broad)
  • 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30: Water Tower Rec, 209 E. Hartwell Ln. (Chestnut Hill)
  • 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30: Julia De Burgos Elementary, 401 W. Lehigh Ave. (Kensington)
  • 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1: Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, 7901 State Rd. (Northeast Philly)