NORCO MAIL-IN BALLOT INSTRUCTIONS: NORCO issues mail-in ballot instructions

Due to the ongoing pandemic, many voters are choosing to vote by mail for the Primary Election May 18. The Elections Office has already processed over 21,000 applications.

Mail-in ballots must meet the following criteria to be counted:

·The ballot must be sealed inside of the privacy envelope

·If the secrecy envelope contains any text, marks or symbols which reveal the identity of the elector, the elector’s political affiliation or the elector’s candidate preference, the envelope and the ballot it contains will be set aside and declared void.

·The voter must sign and date the outer return envelope

·The ballot must be received by the Elections Office by 8 p.m. May 18

Voters can return mail-in ballots by bringing them directly to the Elections Office at the Government Center at 669 Washington Street, Easton, by using one of the county’s four secure ballot drop-off boxes or through the mail. Unfortunately return postage was unintentionally left off of the ballot return envelope therefore, voters must affix a first class stamp to the return envelope if ballots are sent via the U.S. mail.

Secure ballot drop-off boxes are available in each of the county’s four districts.

·Rotunda of the Government Center – 669 Washington Street, Easton

Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 8

·Human Services Building – 2801 Emrick Blvd. Bethlehem

Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.

·Northampton County 911 Center – 100 Gracedale Ave. Nazareth

Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

·Bethlehem City Hall – 10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem

Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Voters may only drop off their own ballots. Third party return of ballots is prohibited unless the person returning the ballot is rendering assistance to a disabled voter or emergency absentee voter and has a signed “Certification of Designated Agent” form. A copy of these forms can be downloaded at VotesPA.com

Voters can track the status of their mail-in or absentee ballots at VotesPA.com. May 11 is the last day voters can apply for a mail-in ballot for the Primary. All precincts will be open on May 18 for in-person voting.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: The Northampton County Elections Office is providing a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Northampton voters for the Primary Election on May 18, 2021.

What will be on the ballot?

County-wide offices, candidates for municipal offices, state judges, magisterial judgeships, a County-wide Home Rule Charter amendment and four stateside ballot measures: Equal Rights Regardless of Race or Ethnicity Amendment, Emergency Declarations Amendment, Legislative Resolution to Extend or Terminate Emergency Declaration Amendment and Making Municipal Fire and Emergency Medical Services Companies Eligible for Loans.

Who can vote in the Primary Election?

Registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates running on their party’s ticket. All registered voters can vote on the County-wide Home Rule Charter amendment, stateside ballot measures or referendum questions.

Can I vote by mail?

Yes. Act 77, which was passed in 2019, allows for no excuse mail-in voting. Applications for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot had to have been received by May 11.

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

Citizens who sign up on VotesPA.com will receive emails about their application/ballot status. Voters who applied on paper can track the status of their ballot at VotesPA.com once the state makes that tool available.

Why did I get an email saying my application for a mail-in ballot has been declined?

It’s likely that a duplicate application was filed or the application lacked a signature or a verifiable ID. Contact the Elections Office for assistance at 610-829-6260 or email elections@northamptoncounty.org

When will ballots go out in the mail?

Ballots were mailed out in April. Voters can check the status of their ballot on-line at VotesPA.com

I’m worried about getting my mail-in ballot back to the Elections Office on time.

To be counted, ballots must be returned to the Election’s Office by 8 p.m. on May 18. The return envelope must be signed and dated and the ballot must enclosed in a sealed privacy envelope. We recommend voters return their ballot as soon as possible or at least get it in the mail by May 5.

What kind of stamp should I use to mail my ballot back?

Return envelopes require a first-class stamp or postage if they are mailed back to the Elections Office.

Do I have to return my ballot by mail?

No. Ballots can be returned directly to the Election’s Office at the Government Center at 669 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042 or at one of the secure ballot drop boxes stationed around the County. (Boxes will be installed when ballots become available.)

Can someone else deliver my ballot to the Elections Office?

No. State Law states that voters may only drop off their own ballot. If you come into the office, you may be asked for your ID. If you drop off someone else’s ballot because they are physically unable to do so, you will be asked for a signed “Certification of Designated Agent” form. A copy of the form can be downloaded at VotesPA.com

Can I vote using Ballot on Demand?

Yes, Ballot on Demand were available startng May 11 in the Election Office at the Government Center when ballots become available until 4:30 p.m. You need to bring ID with you to the office.

I requested a mail-in ballot but now I want to vote in-person at the polls.

Voters who prefer to use the machines can bring their mail-in ballot and the return envelope to the polls. The Judge of Election will spoil the ballot and ask the voter to complete a “Declaration to Surrender Ballot” form before allowing them vote on the ExpressVote XL machine.

Will the polls be open on May 18?

Yes. As of right now, the Election’s Office plans on staffing all 156 precincts with 315 voting machines.

Have the ExpressVote XL machines been tested?

Yes. The machines will undergo testing before the Primary on May 18. The machines performed very well for both elections in 2020.

Have any polling locations changed?

Easton 3rd Ward - third district - has been moved to the Kirby Sports Center, 700 W Pierce St., Easton. Hanover Township District #1 has been moved to Brith Sholom, 1190 W. Macada Rd.

Do I have to wear a mask at the polls? What about the poll workers?

All poll workers are required to wear masks. We strongly request that voters wear masks out of respect to the people who volunteer in our elections.

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

The Northampton County Elections Office: 610-829-6260 or email elections@northamptoncounty.org

Our democracy increases in strength the more we all participate. If you, or someone you know, has an interest in taking a more active role, please consider becoming a poll worker. Poll workers are paid for their training time and work on Election Day.