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Casting a Ballot at the Polls
On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, Northampton County’s 156 precincts will be fully staffed for voters who prefer to cast their ballot in person at their polling location.
Our voting machines undergo extensive testing before each election. In addition to testing, the machines also received upgrades in March 2023 to the latest security upgrade.
Polls will be open from 7:00AM – 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.
Voters who applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot but now want to cast their vote in person at the polls must bring their mail-in ballots and the return envelope to the polls. The Judge of Election will spoil the ballot and ask the voter to complete a “Declaration to Surrender Ballot” form. Only then will the voter be permitted to vote on the machine. If you do not bring your mail-in ballot and return envelope to the polls, you can only vote by Provisional ballot. The Elections Board will verify that the voter did not vote by mail before the provisional ballot can be counted.
An instructional video for voting on the ES&S ExpressVote XL is available online at NorthamptonVotes.com.
Casting a Mail-in or Absentee Ballot
The Elections Office reminds voters to carefully follow the instructions included with their ballot. “Naked” ballots—those not enclosed in the inner secrecy envelope—will not be counted.
To ensure your mail-in ballot is accepted:
- The ballot is enclosed in the yellow secrecy envelope and sealed.
- There are NO identifying marks or symbols on the secrecy envelope. Mail-in ballots will be declared VOID if there are any identifying marks on the ballot or secrecy envelope.
- The return envelope is signed and dated on the back in the appropriate YELLOW boxes. Voters should use black or blue pens.
- The ballot is returned to the Election’s Office NO LATER THAN 8:00PM on Tuesday, November 7th. USPS postmarks will NOT count if received after this deadline.
If submitted by mail, the ballot MUST BE received by 8:00PM on Tuesday, November 7th. Northampton County pays for postage on the return envelopes. Voters do not need to add a stamp. If you plan to mail your ballot, we suggest putting it in the mail no later than Wednesday, November 1st.
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’s 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. Unless a person is physically unable to drop off their own ballot, someone else may drop off their ballot for them and will be asked to complete and sign a “Certification of Designated Agent” form. A copy of the form can be downloaded at Authorize Designated Agent Form (pa.gov).
Secure Ballot Drop-off Boxes Locations:
Northampton County Courthouse:
669 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042 – Monday-Friday from 8:30am-8:00pm
Northampton County Human Services Building:
2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18020 – Monday-Friday from 8:30am-7:00pm
Northampton County 911 Center:
100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064 – Monday-Friday from 8:30am-8:00pm
Bethlehem City Hall:
10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 – Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm*
*drop box will be available in the Rotunda until 8:00 pm on Election Night (November 7, 2023)
To report any problems on Election Day, contact the Northampton County Elections Office at 610-829-6260 or elections@norcopa.gov
Information provided to TVL by:
Brittney Waylen
Deputy Director of Administration & Public Information Officer
County of Northampton
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/
