State congressional endorsement

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today endorsed Lisa Scheller in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. said, “I am proud to endorse Lisa Scheller for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. Lisa is a staunch advocate for our ally Israel and will fight to secure our Southern Border, protect our Second Amendment and restore our energy independence. I encourage all Pennsylvanians in the Lehigh Valley to join me in supporting Lisa for Congress, Pompeo said.

NORCO to install ballot drop-off boxes

The Northampton County Elections Office will install a secure ballot drop-off box for mail-in ballots in each of the County’s four districts. Clearing any security is not required. To avoid having a mail-in ballot rejected, ensure that ballot is enclosed in the sealed privacy envelope, that the return envelope is signed and dated, that there are no identifying marks or symbols on the privacy envelope and that the ballot is returned to the Elections Office by 8 p.m. May 17.

Locations are:

• Rotunda of the Government Center, 669 Washington St., Easton. Boxes available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday until May 17. 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 in the new parking lot at the intersection of Wolf Avenue and Washington Street.

• Human Services Building, 2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem. Boxes available from 8:30 a.m.to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday until May 17.

• Northampton County 911 Center, 100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth. Boxes available 8:30 a.m.to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday until May 17.

• Bethlehem City Hall, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem. Boxes availabl 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until May 17.

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 on file at the Elections Office. Forms may be downloaded at vote.pa.gov

Counterfeiting, forging, tampering with or destroying ballots is a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to sections 1816 and 1817 of the Pennsylvania Election Code (25 P.S. §§ 3516 and 3517).

Voters may track the status of mail-in or absentee ballots at vote.pa.gov

NORCO ballot-on-demand now available

The Northampton County Elections Office announces that Ballot-on-Demand voting for the May 17 Primary are now available. Citizens can vote in-person at the Government Center at 669 Washington Street, Easton, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ballot-on-Demand voting hours will end on May 10 at 5 p.m.

Residents of Northampton County who are eligible to vote can come to the Elections Office, register if they have not already, fill out a ballot application, vote on a paper ballot and turn it in all in the same visit. Showing ID is required before you can receive your ballot.

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. The Elections Office began mailing ballots out April 22.

NORCO: Frequently asked questions

The Elections Office is providing a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Northampton County voters for the Primary Election May 17.

What will be on the ballot?

United States Senator, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Representative in Congress, State Senator – 14th & 18th Districts, State Representatives, Democratic/Republican State Committees. The Elections Office recommends voters review the ballot before voting. The ballot for the Primary is available at: https://www.northamptoncounty.org/CTYADMN/ELECTNS/Pages/General-Primary-05172022-SB.aspx

Who can vote in the Primary Election?

Registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates running on their party’s ticket. All registered voters in East Allen can vote on the referendum question.

How can I see if I’m registered to vote?

You can check your registration status at www.vote.pa.gov The deadline to register to vote in the Primary Election is May 2.

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 ballots are available in the Election’s Office or at www.vote.pa.gov or www.NorthamptonVotes.com The deadline to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 10.

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.

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 elections@northamptoncounty.org

When will ballots go out in the mail?

Ballots started to be mailed out on April 22nd. Voters can check the status of their ballot on-line at www.vote.pa.gov

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 8:00PM on May 17th. We recommend voters return their ballot as soon as possible or at least get it in the mail by May 7th. Secure ballot drop-off boxes will be available until 8 p.m. May 17.

What can cause a mail-in ballot to be rejected?

Mail-in ballots can be rejected if:

• The ballot was not enclosed in a sealed privacy envelope (i.e. a “naked” ballot)

• The return envelope was not signed or dated

• There are identifying marks or symbols on the privacy envelope

• The ballot was not returned to the Election’s Office by 8 p.m. May 17.

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

Postage on the return envelopes is pre-paid. Voters do not need to add a stamp.

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 Street, Easton, or at one of the four secure ballot drop-off boxes stationed around the county.

Can someone else deliver my ballot to the Elections Office?

No. State Law states that voters must 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 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

Can I vote using Ballot on Demand?

Yes, Ballot on Demand will be available in the Election Office at the Government Center starting April 25th until 5 p.m. May 10. You must bring an 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 must bring their mail-in ballots 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 to vote on the ExpressVote XL machine.

Will the polls be open on May 1??

Yes. The Election’s Office plans on staffing all 154 precincts with 315 voting machines.

Have the ExpressVote XL machines been tested?

Yes. The machines undergo testing before the Primary Election. The machines performed very well in the last four elections.

Have any polling locations changed?

Easton 11th Ward will be voting at Shiloh Chapel, 201 Thomas Bright Ave. Easton.

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

Facemasks are optional.

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 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. https://www.northamptoncounty.org/CTYADMN/ELECTNS/Pages/PollWorkers.aspx