{"id":118075,"date":"2023-05-04T22:46:06","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T02:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=118075"},"modified":"2023-05-04T22:48:59","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T02:48:59","slug":"tips-for-voting-in-the-may-16th-municipal-primary-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=118075","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Voting in the May 16th Municipal Primary Election"},"content":{"rendered":"

Casting a Ballot at the Polls<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Northampton County\u2019s 156 precincts will be fully staffed for voters who prefer to cast their ballot on the ES&S ExpressVote XL machine.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Polls will be open from 7:00AM \u2013 8:00PM. 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.<\/p>\n

Voters who applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot but have decided they\u2019d 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\u00a0Declaration to Surrender Ballot<\/em>\u00a0form. Only then will the voter be permitted to vote on the ExpressVote XL.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

An instructional video for voting on the ES&S ExpressVote XL is available online at\u00a0NorthamptonVotes.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Casting a Mail-in or Absentee Ballot<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Elections Office reminds voters to carefully follow the instructions included with their ballot. \u201cNaked\u201d ballots\u2014those not enclosed in the inner secrecy envelope\u2014will 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\u00a0VOID\u00a0if there are any identifying marks on the ballot or secrecy envelope.<\/p>\n

If submitted by mail, the ballot\u00a0MUST BE\u00a0received by 8:00PM on Tuesday, May 16th.\u00a0Postmarks will NOT be considered<\/u>.\u00a0All return envelopes include postage; voters do not need to add a stamp.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019s ballot, you must have a \u201cCertification of Designated Agent\u201d<\/em>\u00a0form on file at the Elections Office. A copy of the form can be downloaded at\u00a0Authorize Designated Agent Form (pa.gov)<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Secure Ballot Drop-off Boxes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Northampton County Courthouse:<\/p>\n