With the Nov. 3 presidential election fast approaching, some insist that touchscreen voting machines like the one used in Northampton County are unreliable. Others might trust them, especially after a federal judge sanctioned their use. They might object, however, to standing in long lines during a pandemic. They could vote from home by no-excuse mail-in ballot, but might worry their vote will be lost in the mail or arrive too late to be counted. For those of you concerned about the machines, long lines or ballots getting lost in the mail, you’ll be relieved to know there’s a third option, called ballot by demand. NorCo Executive Lamont McClure has already voted this way, and you might be able to do it, too.

How does it work? Simple. Just go the courthouse or government center, ask for directions to the elections office, get lost a few times, and once you get there, tell them you want to vote.

If you are not a registered voter, you can register on the spot until Oct. 19. Once registered, you fill out a ballot application, present identification and you will be directed to an area inside the office where you can fill out your ballot in privacy.

If you’ve already requested a ballot to be mailed to you, you’ll have to wait to receive your ballot in the mail.

NorCo’s Elections office, located at the courthouse (669 Washington St., Easton) will be open for extended hours starting Oct. 1, from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays. It will also be open to accept your ballot on Saturdays from 8 a.m. - noon.

Lehigh County’s elections office, located at the government center (17 S. Seventh St., Allentown) will also have extended hours for a two-week period between Oct. 19 and 30, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The building will also be open Oct. 24 and 31 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for drop-off.

Visitors to both NorCo and Lehigh County must be masked and agree to a temperature check for their own safety and the well-being of the general public.

Important

Election Dates

OCT. 19, 2020 - Last Day to Register

*Must be citizen, 18 and Pa. resident for 30 days before election.

* Can register online at https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx.

OCT. 27, 2020 - Last Day to Apply for Mail-in or Absentee Ballot

* Must be received in County office by 5 p.m. Oct. 27.

* Ballot Application must be returned to county by Nov. 3, 8 p.m.

* Ballot request application available at

https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/OnlineAbsenteeApplication/#/OnlineAbsenteeBegin

Online Absentee Application - www.pavoterservices.pa.gov

NOV. 3, 2020 - Election Day

* Polls open 7 a.m., close 8 p.m.

* Poll locations can be found at https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/pollingplaceinfo.aspx.