Over 50K Mail-In Ballots Issued In Delco, Drop Boxes Open Monday

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — All requested vote-by-mail ballots in Delaware County have been mailed out.

County officials said the Bureau of Elections has sent more than 50,000 vote-by-mail ballots (including both mail-in ballots and absentee ballots) to voters.

Voters who wish to cast their ballots by mail can apply until Nov. 1.

Delaware County Elections reminds voters to properly mark, seal, and return the vote-by-mail ballot to ensure that the ballot can be counted.

Voters must:

1. Place the marked ballot in the white ‘Secrecy Envelope’ provided with their ballot (this envelope, per State Law, is marked “Official Ballot Envelope”).
2. Seal the Secrecy Envelope.
3. Place the sealed Secrecy Envelope into the Ballot Return Envelope.
4. Seal the Ballot Return Envelope.
5. Sign the declaration (on the back of the Ballot Return Envelope).
6. Enter the date where indicated (on the back of the Ballot Return Envelope).
7. Return the sealed Ballot Return Envelope.

Ballot Return Envelopes can now be returned to the drop box located in the lobby of the Delaware County Government Building in Media (accessible via Orange Street). The Ballot Drop Box in the lobby of the Government Center Building in Media is now open and accepting Delaware County ballots 24 hours a day, seven days a week until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 8.

More than three dozen ballot drop boxes across the county will open Monday. The delayed opening due to staffing constraints.

Most drop box sites will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Voters will have two full weeks to return their ballot at any county drop box of their choice; this two-week period aligns with when the county has observed a steep increase in the use of drop boxes during recent elections and represents the best allocation of resources under the circumstances.

Voters can also return their completed ballots, properly sealed in the Secrecy and Ballot Return Envelopes, through the United States Postal Service (no postage needed).

If using USPS, voters are encouraged to use the drop-offs inside the lobby of a local post office.

Voters may verify the status of their ballot on the Pennsylvania Department of State website online here.

Voters must return only their own ballot.

The only exception is to assist a disabled voter or an emergency absentee voter, which requires a declaration form signed by the voter and by the person returning the ballot.

This form is available on the Delco Votes! website online here.

If a voter needs help or information on paperwork for assisting a disabled voter—or if a mistake is
made in completing and sealing the ballot—voters may call the Delaware County Election Hotline at 610-891-8683.

Voters may also visit the Delaware County Voter Service Center in Media to receive a
replacement ballot and envelopes.

Delaware County residents can visit the Delco Votes! website for additional election news, sample ballots and information on registering to vote for the first time or filing a name or address change.