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Casting a ballot at the polls
On November 8, 2022, Northampton County’s 154 precincts will be fully staffed for voters who prefer to cast their ballot on the ES&S ExpressVote XL machine. It is suggested that voters wear comfortable shoes and bring a chair if standing is difficult. Facemasks are recommended, but not required.
Polls will be open from 7:00AM – 8:00PM. Voters will check in at the registration table on an E-poll book by giving their name. The E-poll book 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 and have turned it in are not eligible to vote at the polls.
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 they 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 which have not been 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 8:00PM on November 8th. 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 located on the Lower Level of 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 www.vote.pa.gov
Secure Ballot Drop-off Boxes
- Bethlehem City Hall Rotunda– 10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018- City Hall is closed on Election Day but the ballot drop-off box will be available in the Rotunda from 7:00AM – 8:00PM
- Northampton County 911 Center – 100 Gracedale Ave. Nazareth, PA 18064 – open from 8:30AM – 8:00PM
- Human Services Building – 2801 Emrick Blvd. Bethlehem, PA 18020 – open from 8:30AM – 7:00 PM
- Rotunda of the Government Center – 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042 – open from 8:30AM – 8:00PM
To report any problems on Election Day, contact the Elections Office at 610-829-6260 or elections@norcopa.gov
Information provided to TVL by:
Becky Bartlett
Deputy Director of Administration
Northampton County Government Center
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/
