"Ballot-on-Demand" Voting Has Started in NorCo

[From Northampton County Elections, PA] –The Northampton County Elections Office announces that Ballot-on-Demand voting for the Tuesday, May 19 Primary Election started on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Northampton County Elections Office (Government Center, 669 Washington Street, Lower Level, Easton, PA 18042).

 

Registered Democratic and Republican Party voters in Northampton County can vote in person on the following dates:

 

o  Wednesday, April 29 – Friday, May 1 (8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

o  Saturday, May 2 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

o  Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8 (8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

o  Saturday, May 9 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

o  Monday, May 11 (8:30 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.)

o  The LAST day for Ballot-on-Demand will be Tuesday, May 12 (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

 

During this time, Northampton County residents who are eligible to vote can come to the Elections Office, register if they still need to, fill out a ballot application, which will be processed immediately, and be handed a ballot over the counter. Voters may fill out the ballot in the office and return it the same day, OR they may take it home and mail it back via USPS (postage prepaid), utilize one of the seven secure ballot drop boxes throughout the County, or utilize the drop box at Voter Services Pop-ups.  

 

You must bring a valid ID with you to the Elections Office to receive a ballot. The County’s seven secure ballot drop-off boxes were installed on April 28, 2026.

 

Registered voters who have already applied for a mail-in ballot ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for Ballot-on-Demand and must wait to receive their ballot in the mail.

 

To ensure that your mail-in ballot is accepted:

• Your ballot MUST BE enclosed in the YELLOW secrecy envelope and sealed;
• Do NOT write anywhere on the YELLOW envelope. There can be NO identifying marks or symbols;
•  The  PURPLE return envelope must be signed, dated on the back in the appropriate YELLOW boxes, and sealed;
• The ballot must be returned to the Elections Office or to a County Drop Box NO LATER THAN 8:00 pm on Election night, Tuesday, May 19.  USPS postmarks do NOT count if your ballot is received after this deadline.

NorCo's Seven Drop Box Locations and Hours

 

Secure Ballot Drop-off Boxes Installed on April 28, 2026 for the May 2026 Primary Election

[FROM Northampton County, PA] –The Northampton County Elections Office announced that ballot drop-off boxes were installed on April 28, 2026 at the following locations:   Washington Township Municipal Building (Interior Hallway): 1021 Washington Blvd., Bangor, PA 18013 Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.; Friday 7:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Election Day: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.   East Allen Township Municipal Building (Main Lobby): 5344 Nor Bath Blvd., Northampton, PA 18067 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Election Day: 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.   NCC Fowler Family Southside Center (Main Lobby): 511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m., Friday 7:00 a.m.- 8:30 p.m., Saturday 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Election Day: 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.   Northampton County Courthouse (Rotunda): 669 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Election Day: 8:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.   Northampton County Human Services Building (Main Entrance Vestibule): 2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18020 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 7:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Election Day: 8:30 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.   Northampton County 911 Center (Main Entrance Vestibule): 100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064 Hours: 24 Hours/7 Days a week Election Day: Until 8:00 p.m.   Bethlehem City Hall (Main Lobby): 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Election Day: 7:00 a.m .- 8:00 p.m.   All seven drop boxes will be available for Northampton County voters. Accessing drop-off boxes does not require going through security at any location. Applications for mail-in and civilian absentee ballots are available in the Elections Office or at this link: www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/OnlineAbsenteeApplication/#/OnlineAbsenteeBegin   The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is May 12 by 5:00 p.m., both online and in person.   Voters are also able to drop off ballots securely at the Northampton County Elections Office on the Lower Level of Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042, during the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. from April 29- May 11, 2026. The Elections Office will also be open on Saturday, May 2 and Saturday, May 9 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Following the Money: Last Minute $ Pours into NorCo Exec Race

Under Pa. campaign finance law, contributions or pledges of $500 or more that are made between the date of the PrePrimary campaign finance report (May 4) and election day (May 20) must be reported. 

In the NorCo Exec race, Tara Zrinski reports having received $5,000 from Exec Lamont McClure. This is in addition to $5,000 he previously gave her. She also received $2,000 from Lehigh County Exec candidate Josh Siegel. Finally, she accepted $1,000 total from Michael and Don Corriere. Michael is an assistant county solicitor. She also raked in $5,000 from IUOE. 

Amy Cozze took in $1,000 from a D.C. - based PAC calling itself "We invest in Lives and Dreams."  According to Open Secrets, that PAC is associated with Susan Wild.  She also accepted $500 from Bethlehem Attorney John Fruend, $500 from Liz Kelly (NorCo's former Humans Resources Director) and $1,000 from Wild supporter Murat Guzel

UPDATED: Following the Money: Five Republicans and Five Democrats Vie For Five Open Seats on NorCo Council.

Northampton County Council, established in the county's 1978 Home Rule Charter, is arguably its most powerful branch of government. In addition to "exercising the legislative power of the county," it sets the salaries of all employees, levies taxes, adopts the budget and confirms executive appointments. It also exercises the county's "residual powers." It consists of nine part-time members who are paid an annual salary of $12,500, with the President getting an extra $500. They serve for four-year terms and may serve no more than three consecutive terms. Four members are elected from districts consisting of the Bethlehem, Easton, Nazareth and Slate Belt areas. The remaining five member are elected at large, meaning they are elected by the entire county. The five at-large seats are up for election this year. 

Republicans have five candidates for five seats, meaning that the GOP nominations of John Brown (inc), John Goffredo (inc.), Juan Martinez, Sam Elias and Daniel Campo. They are running together as a united front. Who is backing these candidates?

John Brown (inc). - I'm unable to find a committee for him. He reports having neither raised nor spent any money between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25. 

John Goffredo (inc.) - Between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25, Goffredo raised no money, but instead donated $1,000 to Tom Giovanni's Executive campaign. Goffredo has $1,133.88 in his treasury. 

Juan Martinez - Between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25, Martinez raised $4,075, including a $1,600 loan to his campaign. He spent $3,996.92, leaving him with $78.08.

Two things stand out. First, he reports a $500 contribution from Lehigh Financial Group's Jeff Barber. Barber referred to minority-owned businesses on Allentown's Hamilton Street as a "cancer." Given that Martinez himself is a minority business owner, he may want to rethink having Barber as a supporter. Second, he failed to itemize his expenditures. He needs to amend his report. 

Sam Elias. - Between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25, Elias raised $1.885. His contributions were all $250 or less, except for one $500 contribution from Rachel Haddad. He also lent his campaign $100. 

Daniel Campo. - Between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25, Campo raised $2,025 and spent $253. He has $1,747 left. His main contributor is himself ($2,000). 

Democrats also only have five candidates on the ballot. They are Lori Vargo Heffner (inc), Theresa Fadem, David Holland, Jason Boulette and Nadeem Qayyum. In addition to the five on the ballot, Patti Bruno is waging a write-in campaign after her nomination petition was rejected for the fatal error of failing to file her financials with the county council clerk.  Because she is not on the ballot, campaign finance reporting law is inapplicable to her. 

Lori Vargo Heffner (inc.) - She told me her report is boring and she's right. She raised $145, but had a treasury of $1,748.69 as a result of monies left over from her previous election. She spent $426.24.

Theresa Fadem - I have seen no report for this candidate, wither individually or from a committee. She may have filed an affidavit indicating she will be spending under $250. If she thinks she can be elected without raising or spending money, Democrats have already ceded one seat. 

David Holland. - Has raised $3,060, which comes from a donation to himself. He has spent $3,996.92, of which $2,000 went to Michael Laws to help him with a website and media. 

Jason Boulette. - Has a warchest of $16,083.81, which includes contributions of $9,137 between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25. Council members Jeff Warren and Kelly Keegan have contributed to his campaign. So has Tara Zrinski, who is running for Executive. He also picked up $2,000 from trade unions and $500 from former Exec. Glenn Reibman. 

Nadeem Qayyum. - has filed no committee report. His individual report reports a $300 in-kind contribution for a voter builder but fails to state where the in-kind contribution came from. He needs to amend. He reports expenditures of $1,1019.22 for voter builder and "printing/stickers."

Updated 3:28 pm. Fadem's report was filed yesterday, and she has been fined. She reports spending $2,234.76 for campaign signs, Thank You cards, fundraiser expenses (she received no contributions) 

McClure: Brown's Concerns About NorCo's Fiscal Health Irresponsible, But Gracedale Finance Discussions Worthwhile

At a Finance Committee meeting last week, Northampton County Council member John Brown initiated a review of county finances by going through the unaudited quarterly financial statement. Much of it was focused on Gracedale, the county-run nursing home. Even Executive Lamont McClure agreed that the discussion about Gracedale was worthwhile. But he took Brown, a former county executive, to task for suggesting at the beginning of the discussion that the county was basically broke and had only about $3,000 in cash on hand.

McClure told Council at Thursday night's meeting that "unaudited financial statements are not worth the paper they are written on because they change so dramatically." He said if the county only had $3,000 cash on hand at the end of 2024, "how are we keeping the lights on?" He checked, and the county paid a $34,000 light bill in March. He went on to discuss the numerous other bills incurred and paid by the county as well as numerous accounts that hold millions. "As of today, we're liquid, if we really needed to be, to the tune of about $140 million."

He said he wanted to respond to Brown For two reasons. First, "it is completely irresponsible to let people believe we only have $3,000 in the bank. That's just completely irresponsible to create that impression, using unaudited numbers that aren't worth the paper they're written on." Second, "We're about to go out and borrow money in the bond market, which has been volatile lately. Rhetoric like using unaudited financial statements to say we have $3,000 ... and that they county is not being properly fiscally managed, could cost us more money despite the fact that we have nearly the highest bond rating that you can have."

"Any questions?" 

Brown, sitting behind the dais, had nothing. 

Council member John Goffredo, however, said he had "lots."

"Mr. McClure, I'm going to ask one question about Gracedale because that's what we were talking about [at the Finance Committee]. Are we funding Gracedale with money outside of Gracedale to the tune of $15-20 million to keep it going?"

"No."   

"So Gracedale is self-supporting?"

"Well, yes. Over the past several years, Gracedale has received millions in American Rescue funds both from us, from our general fund if you will, our allocation of American Rescue funds, and from funds that were directly sent to Gracedale for Gracedale's own purposes ... . To get us through the pandemic, American Rescue funds were absolutely used.  

What McClure was saying, somewhat unartfully for him, is that no county tax dollars were used to balance the books. 

Goffredo pointed to the 2023 Comprehensive Financial Report, which is audited, and which notes the following: "Gracedale Nursing Home fund balance decreased $12.9 million in addition to requiring a $15 million Transfer In from the General Fund. This demanding use of funds is primarily due to the use of agency nursing services to cover for major staffing shortages, lower resident census and timing of IGT payments."

McClure appeared to be a bit confused, suggesting that "we can have that fill discussion" once the numbers are audited." He apparently was unaware that Goffredo was discussing the audited report from 2023. But Goffredo seems to be confused as well. The transfers made from the General Fund into Gracedale were the American Rescue Act funds, not any tax revenue. 

Council member Ron Heckman then suggested, over the objection of Council member Ken Kraft, that it's time for Council to take a long-range view of the nursing home. All members of Council are committed to keeping it, even Goffredo and Brown. But is it a money pit? If it is, how can that be changed? 

I think counties fail to do enough long-range planning. In 50 or 100 years, will nursing homes become a thing of the past as baby boomers die off and the federal government is focused on having people remain in their own homes and age in place? Can the county afford to keep paying agency nurses now that we've been rescued by American Rescue Funds and Cares Act? 

Amy Cozze's Claim that NorCo Left Federal $ On the Table is False

On Tuesday, I posted the campaign pitches made to Lehigh Valley For All by Tara Zrinski and Amy Cozze, both of whom seek the Democratic nod for NorCo Executive. They sound similar with one important difference. In seeking the approbation of Lehigh Valley For All, Cozze attacks the current Executive for failing to reach out for federal grant opportunities, even though she claims to have reached out herself as an aide to former Senator Bob Casey. Her exact words? "Time and time again, I saw resources go untapped, dollars left on the table that could have been used to improve the lives of Northampton County residents. It was disheartening to witness how much potential progress was lost simply because no one was actively pursuing these opportunities."

Cozze seems to have forgotten that she's running against Tara Zrinski, not incumbent Lamont McClure. 

At a recent candidates' forum on Easton's south side, Cozze presented herself as a walking federal checkbook, claiming she'd get all kinds of money for the county. But is this true? You all are aware that voters have replaced Joe Biden with Donald Trump as President. Since his election, there have been quotidian executive orders pulling back federal funding to our municipalities. Easton Mayor Sal Panto told onlookers at Monday's obligatory flag raising ceremony on Trans Day that he had to lay off the City Forester because the feds pulled a promised block grant. So I doubt Cozze, a former staffer to a defeated Senator, can deliver much of anything.

But did NorCo County squander an opportunity to get federal funding? According to Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron, the answer is a definite NO. He attended last night's endorsement meeting of  Lehigh Valley For All to set the record straight. Moreover, he brought the receipts to show multiple requests for federal funding. 

Saying that "facts matter," Barron denied the perfidy spewed by Cozze and her campaign consultant and husband, Anne Wakabayashi. He noted that between 2021 and 2024, the county requested $50 million in federal funding and got about $8 million. 

During much of this time, as I've told you, Cozze was employed by Senator Bob Casey. "[W]e directly asked Senator Casey for $10,427,500 of that money, but he did not deliver any of it for the county. While he was supportive of projects we got from federal agencies, he was unable to secure the funding we needed for other projects. I am not blaming our federal representatives, as they try their best, but there is never enough money to go around."

Cozze, reputedly under the weather, was unable to attend the endorsement meeting. But Wakabayashi was there. 

Below are the federal grants sought between 2021 and 2024, and the amounts awarded. 

Congressionally Directed Spending Applications Submitted:

Senator Casey:

2021 Northampton County Cultural Competence Training for Law Enforcement $103,500

2022 Northampton County Affordable Housing Project $3,000,000

P25 Expansion Project $5,000,000

2023 Northampton County Law Enforcement P25 Expansion Project $524,000

2024 Rehabilitation of Northampton County Bridge #149 in Lehigh Township $1,800,000

Senator Fetterman:

2023 Northampton County Law Enforcement P25 Expansion Project $524,000

2024 P25 Northern Expansion $4,041,576

Representative Wild:

2021 Gall Farm Preserve Development Phase 1 $850,000

Government Center Security Enhancements $499,000

Gracedale Building Upgrades $2,014,950

Minsi Lake Accessible Trail $1,000,000

Nor-Bath Trail Eastern Connector $600,000

Tott’s Gap Environmental Research and Education Center $1,000,000

2022 Gracedale Facility Improvements $1,625,00 AWARDED $1,000,000

Minsi Lake Accessible Nature Trail and Lakeside Observation Deck $1,000,000

2023 Northampton County Law Enforcement P25 Expansion Project $963,000 AWARDED $963,000

2024 P25 Northern Expansion $4,041,576

Northampton County Pass-Through grant to City of Bethlehem of Federal Funds administered through PennDOT:

2023 Community Traffic Safety Program $94,702.80 AWARDED $94,702.80

2024-2026 Community Traffic Safety Program $244,862 AWARDED $244,862

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency - PCCD (State Administering Agency (SAA) for

US Bureau of Justice Assistance funding programs):

2024 Federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds administered through PCCD – Public Defender Client Advocate Grant $196,765.00 AWARDED $196,765.00

US Environmental Protection Agency:

2022 Brownfield Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund Grant $3,000,000 AWARDED $3,000,000

Community Change Grant – researched, lead applicant must be non-profit, no non-profits requested NorCo as a partner

2023/2024 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs

Researched and discussed. Communication with Charles Dertinger, Bryan Cope and/or Mike Emili confirmed NorCo had no eligible projects that met program requirements:

• Charging and Fueling Infrastructure

• Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity

• Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost Saving Transportation (PROTECT)

• Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program and Neighborhood Equity and Access Program

• Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program

• Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program (notes say “LVEDC” pursuing)

• Thriving Communities Program (TCP)

• Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program

• Consolidated Rail and Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program

• Bridge Investment Program

• US Economic Development Administration Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance

Whole Home Repair Program (WHRP)

US Department of Treasury ARPA funds were utilized by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to create the Whole Home Repair Program (WHRP), which provided the opportunity for counties to apply for grant funding to address housing insecurity and the climate crisis and to support construction-related workforce development. Northampton County applied for and received $2,295,907 in funding, creating the Northampton County Whole-Home Repairs Program. To date, Northampton County’s WHRP has addressed habitability and safety concerns, provided measures to improve energy or water efficiency, and made units accessible for individuals with disabilities in 74 owner-occupied Northampton County homes. Additionally, Northampton County’s WHRP funding has supported Free Basic Construction Methods and Operations Training classes at Northampton Community College and the JATC Apprenticeship Program through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 375.

Ballot Access For 11 NorCo Candidates Challenged in Court

In Pennsylvania, when someone is running for office, he must first circulate and file a nomination petition signed by voters who are registered with the party whose nomination is sought. For some offices, as few as 10 signatures are needed. Other offices, like County Council, require a candidate to seek 250 signatures from voters who belong to the party whose nomination he is seeking. Democrats are prohibited from signing a Republican nomination petition, and Republicans are barred from signing for a Democratic nomination. If a candidate fails to get the required number of signatures, the nomination can be challenged in court. If a judge agrees, the candidate will be denied ballot access. But there are very tight time limits on filing such a challenge to prevent an election from being delayed. Tuesday was the last day on which such challenges could be filed. In Northampton County, 11 putative candidates have been challenged. These objections will be heard in court on Friday morning. Who has been challenged and why? Let me fill you in. 

Northampton County Council: The nomination petition filed by Democrat Patti Bruno has been challenged by Ed Nelson, a former Upper Mount Bethel Tp Supervisor and Township Manager. Papers filed by Attorney Ray Lahoud contend that Bruno failed to file her Statement of Financial Interests, known as her Ethics statement, with the Clerk of County Council. If proven true, this is usually a fatal defect because the statute makes this mandatory. 

If she is stricken, there still will be five Democratic candidates for County Council whose nomination petitions are unchallenged.  They will square off against five Republican nominees. 

Easton City Council (west ward): The nomination petition filed by Lance Wheeler has been challenged by Susan C Eagle, who is represented by Att'y Leo K Howell II. Wheeler was required to obtain the signatures of 100 Democratic voters who reside in his district. According to Att'y Howell, there are only 88 valid signatures. Hard as this might be to believe in Easton, some are not Democrats and others reside outside the district. 

If this challenge is sustained, Julie Zando-Dennis will run unopposed for the Democratic nod, and will face Sharbel Koorie in the Fall. 

Magisterial District Judge (Wind Gap):  Judges and school board candidates are permitted to cross-file, i.e. seek the nominations from both parties. That's what Democrat Ellen Kingsley did. But both the Democratic and Republican nomination petitions she filed are under siege by Matt Flower (Republican) and Garry Flower (Democrat).   

The Flowers maintain that after she filed her nomination petition, Kingsley was allowed to alter it with unspecified handwritten changes. Under the Election Code, a nomination petition must be stricken if it contains "material alterations made after signing without the consent of the signers."

But are these handwritten changes, if they were made, material? That will be answered by a judge.

If successful, the battle for Magisterial District Judge in Wind Gap will be between Matt Flower and Robert Kemmerer, both of whom are Republicans. 

Forks Tp Supervisor: Four Republicans and two Democrats are running for two seats. Jennifer Parziale, represented by Att'y Rich Santee, has objected to the nomination petition filed by Republican Orlando Ortiz.  

Santee argues that Ortiz failed to file his Statement of Financial Interests with Forks Tp, which as I've told you, is usually considered a fatal defect. He also contends that Ortiz failed to live in Forks Tp for one year prior to the election, which is required under state law. 

If successful, there will still be three Republican candidates. They include Gene Parziale, Jennifer's husband. 

Lower Saucon Tp Council: Five Republicans and three Democrats are running for two seats. Three Republicans - Curt Balch, Kathy Pichel-McGovern and Mark Dzimek - have been judicially disputed in papers filed by David ME Boulin. He contends these candidates failed to obtain the requisite number of good signatures because of bad addresses, wrong party, etc. 

If successful, only Republicans Mark Ozimek and Donna Louder will remain on the ballot. 

Stockertown Borough Council: Richard Wagner, a Democratic candidate, has challenged the nomination petition filed by Republican Renee Cantwell on the basis that she failed to file the required Statement of Financial Interests with Stockertown Borough Council. 

I've told you this failure is ordinarily fatal. But objections to a nomination petition must be filed by a person who belongs to the party in which nomination is being sought. So this complaint is questionable. 

Stockertown Borough Mayor: Two Republicans and one Democrat are running. Candidate Peter C Dewey is objecting to the nomination petition filed by fellow Republican Herbert Koenig for failure to file the required Statement of Financial Interests with Stockertown. 

If successful, Dewey will square off against Democrat Rosemarie Wenzelberger in November. 

West Easton Mayor: Dan DePaul wants to knock fellow Democrat Asim J Quareshi off the ballot for filing what he called the worst nomination petition he's ever seen. But his challenge is pretty bad as well, and it's hard to make heads or tails of exactly what he is saying. Calling signatures "suspicious," without more, is a no-starter. But I do agree the petition, circulated at least in part by Mohammed Nadeem Qayyum, is pathetic-looking. But this time, Qayyum did not get the signature of State Senator Lisa Boscola

Bethlehem Area School Board:  Silagh White, who has a good Irish name, cross-filed for both the Democratic and Republican nomination to a thankless and unpaid job that I consider a mark of insanity. 

Unfortunately, her Republican petition had a few too many Democrats. So my bastard brother Mike, being the prick that he is, decided to challenge her. 

"She can't get away with this!" he exclaimed as he stumbled over his Trump signs to draw up a complaint, which I told him to file in Monroe County.

He ignored me and was very proud of himself after consulting with blackguard Republican lawyers. They took a break from evicting people, to help him screw a Democrat by showing him how to prepare a petition. 

His joy was short-lived. In the course of serving his challenge, he could not believe how nice a person White is and felt just a little guilty.  

"I think I'd be tempted to vote for her," he told me in a moment of remorse. 

She withdrew her Republican petition, but Mike, you can switch sides and vote for her in the Fall. 

I won't tell anyone.