NorCo Elections FAQs

Blogger's Note: Before every election, NorCo's elections office provides a FAQ on questions that commonly arise.  I believe this is extremely helpful. 

Who is eligible to register to vote?

·        To vote in the Presidential Election on November 5^th you must be a U.S. Citizen, be 18 years or older by Election Day, be a Pennsylvania resident, not confined in a prison, jail or other penal institution serving a sentence for conviction of a felony as of the date of the election and not have been convicted of a violation of a provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code within the last four years.

What if I recently moved into the area?

·        To register and vote in Northampton County, you must have resided here for at least 30 days prior to the election. If you’ve moved within 30 days of a presidential election, both federal and state law allow you to vote for President in your previous place of residence if you haven’t already registered at your new address.

 

How can I register to vote in Northampton County?

·        Eligible voters can register in person at the Elections Office located in the Lower Level of the County Courthouse at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. To register by mail, download a blank voter registration form at the vote.pa.gov website or fill out the online application there and submit it electronically. Your registration is not complete until it is processed and accepted by the County voter registration office.

 

What is the deadline to register to vote?

·        The last day to register for the presidential election is October 21, 2024. You can register at the Elections Office until 8:00 PM that night or file an online application at vote.pa.gov by 11:59 PM.

 

 How do I know my application has been accepted or if my ballot has been received?

·        Citizens who sign up on vote.pa.gov will receive emails about their application/ballot status. Voters who applied on paper can track the status of their ballot at vote.pa.gov.

 

After I register and my application is approved, how can I vote?

·        Ballot-On-Demand voting is available at the Elections Office, Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, and on Saturdays, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM until Tuesday, October 29^th. On October 29^th, Ballot-On-Demand voting will end at 5:00 PM.

·        To vote via an absentee or mail-in ballot apply either in person at the Elections Office or online at vote.pa.gov by 5:00 PM on October 29^th.

·        To vote in-person, the polls will be open on Nov. 5th from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. If you are in line at 8:00 PM, you will be allowed to cast a ballot.

 

Do I need to present any identification at the polls on Election Day?

·        The first time you vote, or are a new voter to a particular precinct, you must bring a photo, or non-photo ID. Identification is not required from people who have previously voted at their polling place.

 

What if I have a disability which makes it difficult to vote on the machine at the polls?

·        The ES&S ExpressVote XL has accommodations for voters with macular degeneration or other hearing and visual impairments. Alert the poll workers if you need one of these accommodations.

What if I have a disability that makes it difficult to vote without assistance?

·        Registered voters who need assistance may bring someone with them to the polling place. You will be asked to complete and sign a Declaration of Need Assistance form. If you cannot take your mail-in ballot to a mailbox or to one of the County’s secure ballot drop boxes, you must designate someone, in writing, to deliver it for you by filling out a Designated Agent Form. Both forms are available at the Election Office or the vote.pa.gov website.

 

How can I be sure my mail-in ballot will be accepted?

·        Your ballot MUST BE enclosed in the YELLOW secrecy envelope and sealed. There can be no identifying marks or symbols on the YELLOW envelope. The return envelope must be signed and dated on the back in the appropriate yellow boxes.

What is the deadline to return my mail-in or absentee ballot?

·        The ballot must be returned to the Election’s Office no later than 8:00 PM on Election Night, Tuesday, November 5^th. Postmarks do not count. A list of secure ballot drop-off boxes is listed below.

Who should I call if I have problems or questions either before or on Election Day?

·        The Northampton County Elections Office: 610-829-6260 or elections@norcopa.gov   

 

Mail-in and absentee ballots may be returned to the Elections Office in person, via the U.S. mail (postage is included on the envelope) or in one of Northampton County’s seven secure ballot drop-off boxes. Accessing drop-off boxes does not require going through security at any location. Ballots MUST be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted. Postmarks will not count!

 

·        Northampton County Courthouse (Rotunda):

669  Washington St., Easton, PA 18042

o  Monday-Friday from 8:30am-8:00pm

o  Saturdays: Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 (from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm)

o  When dropping off a ballot, voters can park for free in the loading-and-unloading zone on Washington Street in front of the Courthouse or use the parking lot at the Wolf Avenue and Washington Street intersection.

 

·        Northampton County Human Services Building (Main Entrance Vestibule):

2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18020

o  Monday-Friday from 8:30am-7:00pm

o  Saturdays from 8:00am-2:00pm

 

·        Northampton County 911 Center (Main Entrance Vestibule):

100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064

o  Open 24/7

 

·        Bethlehem City Hall (Main Lobby):

10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

o  Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm

o  Election Day (Tuesday, November 5, 2024) accessible from 7:00am-8:00pm

 

·        Washington Township Municipal Building (Main Entrance Vestibule):

1021 Washington Blvd., Bangor, PA 18013

o  Monday-Thursday from 7:00am-4:00pm

o  Fridays from 7:00am-3:00pm

 

·        East Allen Township Municipal Building (Main Lobby):

5344 Nor Bath Blvd., Northampton, PA 18067

o  Monday-Friday from 8:30am-3:30pm

 

·        NCC Fowler Family Southside Center (Main Lobby):

511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, PA 18015

o  Monday-Thursday from 7:00am-9:00pm

o  Fridays from 7:00am-8:30pm

o  Saturdays from 7:00am-2:00pm