Blogger's Note: Although approximately 20,000 voters have applied for mail-in ballots, a large number of voters will vote in person. Here are some tips from NorCo Acting Voter Registrar Amy Hess:
Casting a ballot at the polls
On May 17, 2022, Northampton County’s 154 precincts will be fully staffed for voters who prefer to cast their ballot on the ES&S ExpressVote XL machine. It is recommended that voters wear comfortable shoes and bring a chair if standing is difficult. Facemasks are recommended, but not required.
Polls will be open from 7:00AM – 8:00PM. Voters will check in at the registration table on an E-poll book by giving their name. The E-poll book will indicate if the voter is eligible to vote and if they are at the correct polling place. If so, they will sign in on the touchpad.
In this Primary Election, registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates running on their party’s ticket. All registered voters in East Allen Township can vote on the referendum question.
Voters who applied for a mail-in ballot and have turned it in are not eligible to vote at the polls.
Voters who applied for a mail-in ballot, but have decided they’d rather cast their vote on the machine must give the ballot and the return envelope to the Judge of Elections. After spoiling the ballot, the Judge will have the voter sign a form. Only then will they be permitted to vote on the ExpressVote XL.
Voters who applied for a mail-in ballot, but do not have their ballot or the return envelope with them will be given a provisional ballot. The Elections Board will verify that the voter did not vote by mail before the provisional ballot can be counted.
An instructional video for voting on the ES&S ExpressVote XL is available online at NorthamptonVotes.com
Casting a mail-in ballot
The Elections Office reminds voters to carefully follow the instructions included with their ballot. “Naked” ballots—those which have not been enclosed in the inner secrecy envelope—will not be counted. The voter should use black or blue ink and must sign and date the back of the return envelope. Mail-in ballots will be declared void if there are any identifying marks on the ballot or secrecy envelope.
If submitted by mail, the ballot must be received by 8:00PM on May 17th. Postmarks will not be considered. All return envelopes include postage, voters do not need to add a stamp.
On Election Day, mail-in ballots can be returned directly to the Elections Office located on the Lower Level of the Government Center at 669 Washington Street, Easton by 8:00PM, or at one of the County’s four secure ballot drop-off boxes. The drop-off boxes have different closing times on Election Day. PA State Law states that voters must only drop off their own ballot. If you come into the Elections Office, you may be asked for your ID. If you drop off someone else’s ballot you must have a “Certification of Designated Agent” form on file at the Elections Office. A copy of the form can be downloaded at www.vote.pa.gov
Secure Ballot Drop-off Boxes
· Bethlehem City Hall Rotunda– 10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018- City Hall is closed on Election Day but the ballot drop-off box will be available in the Rotunda from 7:00AM - 8:00PM
· Northampton County 911 Center – 100 Gracedale Ave. Nazareth, PA 18064 – open from 8:30AM - 8:00PM
· Human Services Building – 2801 Emrick Blvd. Bethlehem, PA 18020 – open from 8:30AM - 7:00 PM
· Rotunda of the Government Center – 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042 – open from 8:30AM - 8:00PM
let me see if I go this right. I want to make sure I got this right because I don't want to get arrested. I can place my ballot and my wife's ballot in the mailbox (located curbside at my residence) and have the mail carrier pick it up, take it to the central post office where it will be processed by several other postal workers, then have another postal worker take it to the government center where it is processed by several other mail processors's, but I can't put my wife's ballot in the drop box at the Courthouse, or I can drive to the post office and drop my ballot and my wife's ballot into the drive-thru mailbox but I can't drop my wife's ballot into the drop box. Somebody ought to have their nuts cut off so they can't pass their "genes" on to the next generation.
ReplyDelete7:02- easiest choice for you seems to be use your own home mailbox. I just don’t see a hardship for anyone so long as the current drop box regulation is in effect.
ReplyDeleteWhat could possibly go wrong?? Lol
ReplyDeleteUsing your own home mail box will insure your ballot arrives within two months. The entity formerly known as USPS is now just PISS.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how, what, where and when we do not have any issues or illegal voting activity. It’s just a dream that really power greedy scumbags made up to keep themselves ii office.
ReplyDeletePlease go vote since it’s one of your rights as an American.
Let’s make Election Day a national holiday, yes a paid day off.
ReplyDeleteAs Americans we work too hard and do not have enough vacation time.
Like the Democrats always say- vote early and vote often!
ReplyDeleteSo many ways to get voting done that takes up so little time and yet someone, somewhere will mess up the ballet, miss deadline for one step of the process or have vociferous complaints that some aspect was unfair. What a bunch of whiners. I am waiting for someone to complain that the government should provide the pen to complete the ballot. How do all these folks get all their daily task done? Spoiled rotten bunch of whining Americans.
ReplyDeleteA post mark should suffice as a date mark on the outside ballot. It is a legal mark under any other standard.
ReplyDeletePoliticians should have to follow any and all the common rules for utilizing public areas like other would have too. If you are going to hold a parade or protest or anything else else as a large group gathering which disrupts the standard course of the area you need to get a permit. If they did not get a permit and approval fine them like you would anyone else.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWe need Beyer, now more than ever!