Pennsylvania lets you change your party registration at any time, and the process takes about five minutes
To change your party affiliation in Pennsylvania, you fill out a new voter registration form and submit it to your county election office. You do not need to wait for an election year, and there is no fee. The change takes effect when ready once the county processes it, which usually happens within a few days. You can change your affiliation as many times as you want.
Pennsylvania does not have party registration tied to your driver's license or ID card the way some states do. Your party affiliation lives only in the voter registration system, so changing it means updating that record alone.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your party affiliation by filling out a new voter registration form and mailing or delivering it to your county election office.
- The change takes effect when ready once processed, usually within a few days, and costs nothing.
- You can change your affiliation at any time of year, not just before elections.
- Your county election office address and contact information appear on your voter registration card or on the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
- If you are not yet registered to vote, you must register before you can select a party affiliation.
Where to get the voter registration form
The form you need is the Pennsylvania Voter Registration process. You can get it three ways: read it from the Pennsylvania Department of State website, request a printed copy from your county election office by phone or email, or pick one up in person at your county courthouse or election office.
The form is the same one used for new registrations and for changes to existing registrations. When you fill it out, you will see a section asking for your party affiliation. Mark the party you want to join, or mark "No Party" if you want to register as unaffiliated.
How to fill out and submit the form
Print the form and fill it out by hand in black or blue ink. You will need your Pennsylvania driver's license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Write your full legal name, current address, and date of birth exactly as they appear on your voter registration record.
In the party affiliation section, select the party you want to join: Democratic, Republican, Green, Libertarian, or No Party. Do not leave this blank if you want to change your affiliation — the form will not process without a selection.
Sign and date the form. Mail it to your county election office, or deliver it in person. You can find your county election office address on your voter registration card, or search for it on the Pennsylvania Department of State website by entering your county name.
Timing and what happens after you submit
Once your county election office receives your form, staff will verify that your information matches their records and update your registration. This usually takes three to seven business days, though it can be faster if you deliver the form in person.
You will not receive a confirmation letter in the mail for a party change the way you might for a new registration. To confirm the change went through, you can call your county election office and ask them to verify your current party affiliation, or check your registration status online through the Pennsylvania Department of State voter lookup tool.
Changing your affiliation before a primary election
If you want to vote in a primary election, your party change must be processed before the primary election date. Pennsylvania primary elections are held in May of even-numbered years. The important date to change your affiliation before a primary is typically 15 days before the election, though you should check your county election office for the exact date in your area.
If you miss the important date, you can still change your party affiliation after the primary, but you will not be able to vote in that primary. Your new affiliation will be active for the general election in November and for all future elections.
If you are not yet registered to vote
If you do not have a voter registration on file in Pennsylvania, you cannot change an affiliation — you must register first. Fill out a new voter registration form and select your party affiliation at that time. The important date to register for an election is 15 days before Election Day.
Once you are registered, you can change your party affiliation at any time using the process described above.
What happens if you move to a different county
If you move within Pennsylvania, you need to update your voter registration with your new address. You can do this by filling out a new voter registration form and submitting it to your new county election office. When you submit the form, you can also change your party affiliation at the same time if you want to.
Your old county will be notified of your move and will remove you from their rolls. Your new county will create a registration record for you with your updated address and party affiliation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my party affiliation on Election Day?
No. Your party affiliation must be updated before Election Day for it to take effect. For primary elections, the important date is typically 15 days before the election. For general elections, you cannot change your affiliation on the day itself, but you can change it any other day of the year.
Do I have to pick a party, or can I stay unaffiliated?
You can stay unaffiliated by selecting "No Party" on the voter registration form. Unaffiliated voters cannot vote in primary elections in Pennsylvania, but they can vote in general elections and on ballot measures.
What if I move out of Pennsylvania?
If you move to another state, you should register to vote in your new state. You do not need to formally withdraw your Pennsylvania registration — your new state's registration will supersede it. If you move back to Pennsylvania later, you can re-register.
How do I know if my party change went through?
Call your county election office and give them your name and date of birth, and they will tell you your current party affiliation. You can also use the Pennsylvania Department of State voter lookup tool online to check your registration status, though it may take a few days to update after you submit your form.
Can I change my party affiliation more than once?
Yes. You can change your party affiliation as many times as you want, as long as each change is submitted before any relevant election important date. There is no limit on how often you can change.