CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvanians have until May 4 to register to vote or update their voter registration, including party affiliation, ahead of the state’s May 19 General Primary election.
The deadline covers first-time registrations and changes such as address, name or party for the primary, according to information released by Franklin County officials.
Applications received or postmarked after May 4 will be processed for the November 2026 general election.
Voters can register or update their information online at votespa.com, by obtaining paper applications from candidates, political parties or federal, state or municipal offices, or by downloading or requesting forms from the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website at vote.pa.gov or the Franklin County website at franklincountypa.gov.
Applications can also be submitted at a Department of Transportation photo license center when renewing a driver’s license or at state public assistance offices, agencies serving people with disabilities, Armed Forces recruitment centers, county clerks of courts offices, Area Agencies on Aging, county mental health or intellectual disabilities offices, or Centers for Independent Living.
Once processed, voters receive a registration card by mail confirming the changes and listing their polling place.Pennsylvania operates a closed primary system, meaning only voters registered as Democrats or Republicans may vote for their party’s candidates on May 19. Those registered as independents or with minor parties such as Green, Libertarian or Constitutional will not be able to participate in the primary.
Voters seeking to participate in candidate races must switch their affiliation to Democratic or Republican by the May 4 deadline. Offices on the May primary ballot include governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. representative, state representative and state and local party committee positions.For more information on Franklin County elections, visit franklincountypa.gov. Questions about voter registration can be directed to the Franklin County Voter Registration Office at 717-261-3886 or the Franklin County Election Board at 717-261-3812.
