BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pennsylvania's May 16 primary is about a month away, but voters need to start thinking about the logistics of casting their ballots now. Deadlines to register, change party affiliation or request a mail-in ballot are quickly approaching.
Here's a breakdown of the basics of voting in this year's municipal primary in the Lehigh Valley.
- Pennsylvania is holding its municipal primary on May 16
- Voters have until May 1 to register to vote or change their party affiliation. Generally speaking, only Democratic and Republican voters can participate in Pennsylvania primaries
- Voters have until May 9 to request a mail-in ballot
What Is A Primary?
Primary elections are how political parties select their candidates for the November general election. In most cases, political candidates must be registered with a party in order to appear on its primary ballot, but there are exceptions. Races deemed non-partisan, which include judicial races and school board races, allow candidates to file with both parties as long as they meet the other requirements.
The winners of primary campaigns then go onto the November ballot as that party's candidate. Cross-filed candidates who win in both primaries are listed under both parties. Independent and and third-party candidates can also make the November ballot but generally face long odds.
Who Can Vote in a Primary?
Pennsylvania is one of nine states that hold closed primaries, which are only open to registered members of that party. However, people can swap their party affiliation at will by filling out the required government form. To vote in the May primary, a voter must be registered as a Democrat or Republican by May 1. Other political parties have not met state-set limits to hold their own publicly-funded primaries.
The only time independent or third-party voters can cast a vote in a primary is if there are referendum questions. The only referendum question in the Lehigh Valley this May is for Whitehall Township voters, who will decide if the elected treasurer position should be replaced with a professional finance director. Under the terms spelled out in the referendum, the finance director would be appointed by the mayor and approved by the township board of commissioners.
May 1 is also the last day to register as a voter in Pennsylvania. In order to register, a person must be 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and must have lived in Pennsylvania for 30 days. People who move within 30 days of a primary or general election may cast a ballot, but it will be for races associated with their previous address. More information about registering to vote in Pennsylvania can be found on the state website.
How Do I Cast a Vote?
Most voters have two options to cast a ballot — a mail-in ballot or voting at their polling place.
People who prefer to vote in person may go to their polling place on Election Day. Polls are open for this primary on May 16 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Voters in line when polls close are allowed to cast a ballot. Lehigh County voters generally fill out a paper form that is scanned and secured. Most Northampton County voters use a touchscreen voting machine that produces a paper copy for auditing purposes. Special devices are used in both counties for voters with disabilities.
Polling places sometimes change between elections. Voters who prefer to vote in person would be wise to double check their polling place's location on the state website.
Pennsylvania law also allows voters to cast a mail-in ballot. Registered voters can request one online or through their county election office. Requests must be received by May 9, but voters are advised to apply before that.
Beginning April 17, Northampton County will provide mail-in ballots on demand to eligible, registered voters at the election office. Lehigh County's on-demand ballots should be available the week of April 24. These on-demand ballots can be completed and turned in during the same visit. On-demand ballots are only available through May 9.
Completed mail-in ballots must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m. May 16 or they will not be tabulated. Lehigh Valley voters can either mail them back, turn them into the elections office in person or drop them off at a designated drop box. Under Pennsylvania law, a voter is only allowed to turn in their own ballot; even turning in a family member's ballot is prohibited except in rare circumstances.
Northampton County's drop boxes will be available starting April 18. They will be located at:
- Northampton County Courthouse — 669 Washington Street, Easton
- Northampton County Human Services Building — 2801 Emrick Boulevard, Bethlehem Township
- Northampton County 911 Center — 100 Gracedale Avenue, Upper Nazareth Township
- Bethlehem City Hall — 10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem
Lehigh County's drop boxes will be available the week of April 24. They will be located at:
- Whitehall Township Municipal Building — 3219 MacArthur Road, Whitehall Township
- Lehigh County Authority Office — 1053 Spruce Road, Lower Macungie Township
- Fountain Hall Borough Hall — 941 Long Street, Fountain Hill
- Lehigh County Government Center — 17 S. 7th Street, Allentown
- Macungie Borough Hall — 21 Locust Street, Macungie
Voters who have requested a mail-in ballot will not be allowed to cast a regular ballot at their polling place unless they surrender their mail-in ballot. If there is a dispute over whether a voter is allowed to cast an in-person ballot, they should request a provisional ballot.
Voters who are unsure if they've already signed up for a mail-in ballot can check the state website. Voters who no longer want to receive mail-in ballots need to complete a cancellation form and turn it into their county election office.
The Lehigh County elections office is located in the basement of the Lehigh County Government Center at 17 S. 7th Street in Allentown. The Northampton County elections office is located in the lower level of the Northampton County Courthouse at 669 Washington Avenue in Easton.
