(The following information was provided by Montgomery County.)
Montgomery County Board of Elections announced it will
install 11 secure ballot drop-off boxes throughout the County to
help voters meet the May 18 Primary Election deadline. Completed mail-in
ballots and absentee ballots may be dropped off starting Saturday, May 1 at 10
a.m. Ballots placed in the secure ballot boxes will be delivered daily to the
Montgomery County Voter Services by County Sheriffs, and date stamped when they
are received.
Voter Services Satellite Offices will also be available on weekends beginning May 1 for any voters that prefer to apply for their ballot in person before the May 3 deadline to apply. Residents can apply for a mail-in ballot, receive it, complete it and place it in a secure ballot box at these locations. Montgomery County will operate locations in Norristown, Willow Grove, Narberth, Lansdale and Pottstown. Appointments are not required. Voters can visit any location. Voter Services Satellite offices are available until May 11 based on the schedule below.
“This Primary Election is unique because all registered voters are able to vote on the proposed amendments to the PA Constitution regardless of their party affiliation. This, along with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is creating a high demand for mail-in voting.” said Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Elections. “We want to continue to make voting accessible, secure, and convenient for all of our residents by offering several options to cast their vote - by mail, in person on Election Day or through a satellite office.”
“The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is May 11 by 5 p.m., we urge voters to apply immediately to ensure adequate turnaround,” said Dr. Val Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Voters can also check the status of their mail-in ballot online by visiting www.montcopa.org/VoteByMail.”
Ballot status will update when the Election Board has received it. All mail-in ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on May 18, 2021.
Any voter who was approved for a mail-in or absentee ballot and later decides to vote in person may do so. Voters should bring their ballot and envelopes to the polls with them to be voided by a poll worker, enabling the voter to vote in person. If a voter does not bring their mail-in ballot they can fill out a provisional ballot, which will only be counted once after verification that the Election Board has not received a mail-in ballot.
Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, some polling locations were moved. Final polling locations are being continuously updated and will be posted at www.montcopa.org/VoteInPerson. For public health and safety, please wear a mask. Voting stations and equipment will be cleaned throughout the day, and social distancing guidelines will be implemented.
2021 Primary Election Secure Ballot Drop Box Locations and Hours of Operation:
Secure drop-off boxes are available 24 hours a day at the following locations:
Voter Services Satellite Offices will be available during the following days and times:
Lansdale County Office
421 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA 19446
Available on Saturday May 1 and Sunday May 9 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Before dropping mail-in or absentee ballots into the drop-off box, voter must make sure their completed ballot is placed inside the smaller, secrecy envelope first. Then, put the sealed secrecy envelope into the official return envelope and complete the voter declaration on the back. Ballots that are not in both envelopes cannot be counted per Pennsylvania Election Code. Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Election Code, voted ballots may only be returned by the individual voter and not by any other individuals. All drop box locations are monitored using CCTV video surveillance. Anyone depositing a ballot that does not belong to them will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office.
If a voter has an illness or disability that will prevent them from dropping off their ballot, they can designate an agent to pick up or drop off their ballot. The agent can only pick up or drop off ballots for voters who are in the same household, and the ballot can only be picked up and dropped off to Voter Services, 425 Swede St., Norristown, PA. The first page should be signed by the agent, and the second page should be signed by the voter. The Certification of Designated Agent form can be found at www.montcopa.org/VoterServices.
The last day to register to vote for the General Election is May 3, 2021. You must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Pennsylvania 30 days before the election. You may register to vote and apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot at www.montcopa.org/VoteByMail. For more information about the May 18 Primary Election and where to vote, visit www.montcopa.org/voterservices or call (610) 278-3280.
See also:
County Prepared To Investigate Any Interference With Election Drop Boxes, Voting In Person
Pa. Republicans Want To Create And Control An ‘Election Integrity’ Panel With Subpoena Power
Could The Pa. GOP Bypass The Popular Vote Regardless Of Who Wins? Here’s What We Know
Voting Victories For Democrats In Pa. Might Have Closed The Door On More Election Reform
Pennsylvania House Passes ‘Imperfect’ Election Reforms
