[Northampton County, PA]– On Tuesday, March 31, the Northampton County Elections Commission approved a request from the Elections Office to schedule up to six pop-up voter services events ahead of Pennsylvania’s May 19 primary election.
The initiative is intended to expand access for voters facing transportation or scheduling barriers, increase community engagement, and also to reduce congestion at the Elections Office and permanent drop box locations. The events function as a temporary extension of the Elections Office, allowing voters to:
- Register to vote (deadline May 4)
- Apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot
- Receive and complete a ballot on demand
- Return their ballot securely on site or via the existing dropboxes
All ballots issued and returned through these events will be handled in the same manner as standard absentee and mail-in ballots and will not be opened or counted until Election Day, consistent with Pennsylvania law.
Events at each location will be held for one day for a limited period of time and staffed by the trained Elections Division personnel from the Elections Office. All ballot handling will follow existing chain-of-custody procedures, with a secure, locked, and continuously monitored mobile drop box, and with ballot collection coordinated with the Sheriff’s Department (consistent with County drop box operations).
“The events are designed to build on the existing election processes, not replace them, by bringing services directly into the communities we serve,” said Chris Commini, Northampton County Elections Registrar.
The first two locations confirmed for Voter Services events are Northampton Community College in Bethlehem Township and Lafayette College Student Center in Easton. The Elections Office is looking for additional locations in other areas of Northampton County.
Information provided to TVL by:
Northampton County
