Delco Preparing For 2021 Primary Elections

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — May 18 is the date for the 2021 municipal primary elections in Delaware County. With that in mind, Delco officials are preparing for voting now and so should residents.

The deadline for residents to register or to update their registration is Monday, May 3. Residents with questions about registration or their status can contact the Voter Registration department by phone at 610-891- 4659 or by email at VoterReg@co.delaware.pa.us.

Delaware County and the County’s Bureau of Elections are finalizing preparations for the upcoming elections.

Residents with questions about the election process—either as a candidate, voter, or poll worker—are encouraged to visit the Delco Votes! website here and to check back throughout the spring as new information and materials become available.

New Delaware County voters or those who recently turned 18 register to vote to cast a ballot in the upcoming election. Voters who have moved, changed their name, or updated their political party affiliation since the last election will need to update their registration. Both processes use the same form, which can be downloaded from the Delco Votes! website.

Pennsylvania has closed primaries, which means during a primary election voters who indicate "Democratic" or "Republican" on their Voter Registration Application will only be able to vote for
candidates from their registered party, for candidates in nonpartisan contests, and for ballot initiatives. Voters who do not choose a party affiliation can only vote for candidates in nonpartisan contests and for ballot initiatives.

But what about mail-in voting this time around?

Last year, more than 100,000 Delaware County voters indicated on their mail-in/absentee ballot application that they would like to be included on a new "Annual Mail-In and Absentee Voter List." As a result of this opt-in, each of those voters will automatically be sent a single application to request a mail-in/absentee ballot for each election that will be held in 2021.

These applications were mailed on Feb. 11, and should be delivered over the next few weeks. These are applications for mail-in ballots and are not the ballots themselves. Mail-in ballots will be
mailed in April.

Voters who want to vote in-person can ignore the application or return the application and indicate that they wish to be removed from the list and vote in-person in the future.

Voters should also be aware that they could receive multiple mail-in ballot applications from other organizations who are attempting to increase voter turnout and ensure that voter safety during the ongoing pandemic. Only one valid application needs to be returned to the Bureau of Elections and can ignore any additional applications that they may receive.

Additionally, about 50,000 Delaware County voters requested a vote-by-mail ballot in 2020 but
did not opt-in to the Annual Mail-in Ballot Application List. These people are expected to
vote in-person for all 2021 elections unless they request a mail-in/absentee ballot. Applications can be requested and submitted through the Delco Votes! website.

One of the first steps for any resident who decides to run for public office is the submission (or “filing”) of a nomination petition packet. These packets include various legal documents, including petitions that include valid signatures of Delaware County-registered voters. The minimum required number of signatures varies by the office being sought.

Candidates can visit Delco Votes! website, or the Votes PA website here for detailed guidance, reminders, downloadable materials, and deadlines.

As part of the ongoing effort to modernize the process and reduce mailings and in-person interactions during the coronavirus pandemic, the Bureau of Elections has created a new email address for campaign finance-related questions and for the filing of campaign finance reports, statements, and unsworn declarations. The address is CampaignFinance@co.delaware.pa.us.

Candidates submitting their Political Committee Registration Statements must continue to submit hard-copies with original signatures (no photocopies) in-person or through the mail.

2021 Primary Election Deadlines:

• Monday, May 3: Deadline to Register to Vote in the Primary Election (postmarks do not apply)
• Tuesday, May 11 by 5 p.m.: Last Day to Apply for Mail-in or Absentee Ballots
• Tuesday, May 18: Primary Election Day, polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 25: Last day to receive Military and Overseas Absentee Ballots

2021 General Election Deadlines:

• Monday, Oct. 18: Last Day to Register to Vote in the General Election (postmarks do not apply)
• Tuesday, Oct. 26 by 5 p.m.: Last Day to Apply for Mail-in or Absentee Ballots
• Tuesday, Nov. 2: General Election Day, polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 9: Last day to receive Military and Overseas Absentee Ballots