Released: April 28, 2022
This week, Delaware County Elections announced that more than 31,000 vote-by-mail ballots for the upcoming May 17 Primary Election—representing all vote-by-mail ballot applications processed on or before April 15—have been mailed and are now being delivered to Delaware County voters.
Delaware County voters may return their vote-by-mail ballots, including both no-excuse mail-in ballots and traditional absentee ballots, immediately through the US Postal Service or in-person at the Delaware County Voter Service Center located at the Government Center Building at 201 W. Front Street in Media (located inside the Orange Street entrance). Starting Monday, May 2, the County will open more than 40 secured drop boxes for the return of vote-by-mail ballots.
Ballot drop boxes are located at safe, secure, ADA-compliant locations and are under 24/7 video surveillance. Ballot drop boxes are large white metal receptacles, similar in size to a USPS mailbox, and clearly marked with the wording “Official Ballot Drop Box” and “Delaware County Board of Elections.” These drop boxes are designed for only one use: the return of vote-by-mail ballots by Delaware County voters in the weeks before Election Day. Postage is not required to return a Delaware County vote-by-mail ballot.
A list of drop box locations and hours is included with vote-by-mail ballots mailed by the County and is also accessible on the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/dropbox.
The deadline for voters to return their vote-by-mail ballots at the Voter Service Center or an official Delaware County ballot drop box is 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, May 17. Ballots sent by USPS must also be received by the County by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day—postmarks will not be honored.
Voters are reminded that they may use any Delaware County ballot drop box to return their completed ballot, but each voter can return only their own ballot. Voters cannot return ballots for spouses, family members, or other individuals unless an official ‘3rd Party Delivery Form’ (formerly called the “Authorize a Designated Agent to Help You Obtain and/or Return Your Mail-in or Absentee Ballot”) has been submitted and approved by the PA Department of State. Voters who attempt to return ballots on behalf of other voters without authorization will be referred to the Delaware County District Attorney for investigation.
Vote-by-Mail ballots are sent only to voters who have completed and signed an application in 2022 to vote-by-mail during the 2022 calendar year, which must include valid ID. Voters who are unsure if they are registered to vote-by-mail can check their status at delcopa.gov/ballotstatus. Voters who have not yet applied for a vote-by-mail (either a no-excuse mail-in ballot or a traditional absentee ballot) can apply at delcopa.gov/vbm-app thought the deadline on Tuesday, May 10.
Additionally, vote-by-mail ballots are sent only to those voters who are registered with either the Republican or Democratic parties. Under Pennsylvania law, voters who are registered as independents or with a third party are not eligible to cast a ballot during the May 17 Primary Election. Voters have until May 2 to update their registrations or change party affiliation at delcopa.gov/register2vote.
Voters who are casting a vote-by-mail ballot are reminded that they must use blue or black ink when completing their ballot. Once the ballot has been completed, voters should place it into the smaller of the two envelopes, seal it, then place it into the larger pre-paid return envelope. Voters must then complete the voter declaration section on the exterior of the return envelope, being sure to include their signature, printed name, address, and the date. Incomplete or inaccurate voter information may disqualify the ballot.
Delaware County voters who are registered with the Republican Party and living in the 165th Legislative District are advised that Robert Jordan, a candidate for PA State Representative, has been disqualified by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. This decision by the Court occurred after the State had already certified the ballots and after the County had completed the printing of ballots. As a result, some of the first Republican vote-by-mail ballots still included this candidate. Republican voters were sent a letter by the County informing them of this situation. Votes for this candidate will not be tabulated.
Delaware County voters have several resources available to help simplify the voting process. The Delaware County Election Hotline (610-891-VOTE) is operational Mon. through Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Delaware County Voter Service Center provides a variety of in-person voter services and is available Mon. through Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Wednesdays through 8 p.m.), Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon, and on Election Day only, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Delaware County’s election website — Delco Votes! — provides news, sample ballots, ballot drop box locations, polling location information, access to downloadable and online forms, livestreams and recordings of Board of Elections meetings, and more at delcopa.gov/vote.