What Delaware County Voters Can Expect on Election Day
Released: November 1, 2021
Delaware County Elections has completed all preparations for the 2021 Municipal Election and is confident that voters will experience a safe, sound, and secure Election Day. Delaware County polling places will open at 7:00 a.m. and remain open until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2.
Over 400,000 Delaware County residents are registered to vote, with more than 45,000 vote-by-mail ballot requests approved and over 350,000 voters eligible to vote in-person at 428 precincts at 254 polling places within the county’s 49 municipalities.
Vote-by-Mail Ballots: Where to Return Your Ballot and What to do if You Didn’t Receive One
On Election Day, Delaware County voters who choose to cast their vote using their vote-by-mail (mail-in or absentee) ballot will have the option of using any one of more than 40 secured ballot drop boxes* located throughout the County, including the secure drop box at the Voter Service Center (201 W. Front St., in Media from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.). The complete list of drop box locations is available at delcopa.gov/dropbox.
Residents who have requested but not yet received a mail-in ballot can request a replacement ballot at the Voter Service Center. They are urged to arrive early in order to allow time for long lines and time to process the ballot to ensure they can cast their vote in a ballot box by 8:00 p.m.
Voters who did not receive their vote-by-mail ballot, or completed and mailed their vote-by-mail ballot but are concerned that their ballot may not be received by the Elections Department by the 8 p.m. deadline (postmarks will not be honored) are urged to visit their precinct’s polling place on Election Day, explain their situation to their precinct’s Judge of Elections, and cast a provisional ballot that will be counted if their vote-by-mail ballot is not received by the deadline. Voters who possess a vote-by-mail ballot on Election Day and decide they would rather cast their vote in person have a right to do so. Voters should bring their vote-by-mail ballot (and declaration envelope) to the polling place, have it destroyed by the Judge of Elections, and vote using a replacement ballot.
COVID-19 Precautions
Voters going to the polls on Election Day should be aware that each polling place will adhere to COVID-19 guidelines and orders issued by the State. Each polling place will be supplied with a PPE Kit, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, wipes, disposable pens, and other equipment to protect the health and safety of residents and poll workers. Poll workers will be required to wear masks and will clean commonly touched surfaces after voters have cast their ballot. Social distancing of at least six feet will be expected both inside of the polling places and outside while voters are waiting in line.
In-Precinct Voting
Before heading to the polls, voters should be aware that some polling locations change from election to election. Voters should double-check the location of their polling place on the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/pollingplace.
Voters are encouraged to review a Sample Ballot for their precinct before voting. This will help voters familiarize themselves with the candidates and reduce time spent voting at the polling place, which will expedite the process for all voters. Sample ballots can be viewed at delcopa.gov/sample.
New This Election: Two Ballots
Voters casting a vote-by-mail ballot are reminded that they will receive two ballots, clearly marked “Ballot A” (that lists all contests for state and local elections) and “Ballot B” (that lists judicial-retention questions). The “Ballot A” and “Ballot B” sheets should be returned together in the secrecy envelope, marked “OFFICIAL ELECTION BALLOT.” Voters are not required to vote both ballots but only those ballots returned in the privacy envelope inside the envelope that is signed and dated by the voter will be counted.
First Time Voters
First-time voters are required to show appropriate ID. A list of all acceptable forms of ID can be found at delcopa.gov/id.
Pre-Canvassing and Canvassing
Under the Pennsylvania Election Code, the County Board of Elections is charged with the duty to review the mail-in and absentee ballots that have been timely returned, determine which ballots may be counted under the applicable rules, and count those ballots that are determined to be valid. This process is referred to as the canvass. The portion that takes place before the polls close on Election Day is referred to as the pre-canvass.
The pre-canvass and canvass for ballots cast in Delaware County will be taking place in the Wharf building where the Delaware County Elections office is located, 2501 Seaport Drive, Chester PA. The pre-canvass will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Election Day and will continue until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, at which point it converts into the canvass. The canvass will continue around the clock until complete. The pre-canvass and canvass are performed by Delaware County Elections staff, who will be working in shifts.
Delaware County Elections expects unofficial results will begin to be posted after polls have closed at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 2, and will continue to be updated going forward as ballots are counted, including provisional, military, and overseas ballots.
A live stream of the pre-canvass and canvass processes is being conducted at the Bureau’s Wharf facility in Chester and will be available on the County’s Delco Votes! website. Unofficial election results and the live stream can be found at delcopa.gov/results.
Election Day Issues
Voters who have concerns regarding voting irregularities can call the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683).
Voters who witness what they believe to be criminal activity are asked to call the Delaware County District Attorney’s office at (610) 891-4797.
* Voters should be aware that, per Pennsylvania state law, the third-party return of ballots is prohibited unless the person returning the ballot is rendering assistance to a disabled voter or an emergency absentee voter. Forms for designating someone to render assistance to a disabled voter can be found on our website.
