On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Northampton County’s 156 precincts will be fully staffed for voters who prefer to cast their ballot on the ES&S ExpressVote XL machine.

The ES&S ExpressVote XL machine underwent the usual testing before the Municipal Primary Election. In addition to testing, the machines also received upgrades to the new ES&S Voting System 6.3.0.0 to ensure expanded security.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.. Voters will check in at the registration table on an ePollbook by giving their name. The ePollbook will indicate if the voter is eligible to vote and if they are at the correct polling place. If so, they will sign in on the touchpad. First-time voters and voters who are voting in a new precinct may be required to show ID.

Voters who applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot but have decided they’d rather cast their vote on the machine must give the ballot and the return envelope to the Judge of Elections. After spoiling the ballot, the Judge will have the voter sign a Declaration to Surrender Ballot form. Only then will the voter be permitted to vote on the ExpressVote XL.

Voters who applied for a mail-in ballot but do not have their ballot or the return envelope with them will be given a provisional ballot. The Elections Board will verify that the voter did not vote by mail before the provisional ballot can be counted.

An instructional video for voting on the ES&S ExpressVote XL is available online at NorthamptonVotes.com

Casting a Mail-in or Absentee Ballot

The Elections Office reminds voters to carefully follow the instructions included with their ballot. “Naked” ballots-those not enclosed in the inner secrecy envelope-will not be counted. The voter should use black or blue ink and must sign and date the back of the return envelope. Mail-in ballots will be declared VOID if there are any identifying marks on the ballot or secrecy envelope.

If submitted by mail, the ballot MUST BE received by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16. Postmarks will NOT be considered. All return envelopes include postage; voters do not need to add a stamp.

On Election Day, mail-in ballots can be returned directly to the Elections Office in the Government Center at 669 Washington Street, Easton by 8:00PM, or at one of the County’s four secure ballot drop-off boxes. The drop-off boxes have different closing times on Election Day. PA State Law states that voters must only drop off their own ballot. If you come into the Elections 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 Authorize Designated Agent Form (pa.gov).

Secure Ballot Drop-off Boxes

Northampton County Courthouse:

• 669 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042 – Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Northampton County Human Services Building:

• 2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18020 – Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Northampton County 911 Center:

• 100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064 – Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Bethlehem City Hall:

• 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 – Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

• *drop box will be available until 8 p.m. on Election Night (May 16, 2023)

To report any problems on Election Day, contact the Northampton County Elections Office at 610-829-6260 or elections@norcopa.gov

Follwiler announces write-in campaign

Republican James Follweiler announced his Bethlehem City Council write-in campaign for this May 16th primary election. If his name sounds familiar, James Follweiler was the Bethlehem Republican Mayoral Candidate in 2003 and a 2005 City Council candidate. After viewing the recent Democrat City Council debate and reading the April 27th The Morning Call article about the city council race, James felt the people of Bethlehem need and deserve another clearly different choice and refreshing perspective.

The people of Bethlehem have come to know James Follweiler through his prior campaigns while he taught Army ROTC at Lehigh University and his wife Irene’s service as a Director on our Bethlehem Area School Board. James earned a Master’s Degree in History from Lehigh University and also holds a Master of Business Administration degree. His undergraduate degree was in Business Administration with a Finance emphasis.

For this year, Bethlehem has three City Council positions up for election. Two other republicans, Tom Ginthner and Devin Brunges, are currently on the ballot, leaving one open position that James is seeking for the fall General Election.