Delaware County Elections Issues Updated Vote-by-Mail Ballot Guidance

Released: October 17, 2022

The Delaware County Bureau of Elections has now completed the mailing of more than 50,000 vote-by-mail ballots (including both mail-in ballots and absentee ballots). The deadline to apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot is Nov. 1, 2022.

Delaware County Elections reminds voters to properly mark, seal, and return the vote-by-mail ballot to ensure that the ballot can be counted. Voters must:

1. Place the marked ballot in the white ‘Secrecy Envelope’ provided with their ballot (this envelope, per State Law, is marked “Official Ballot Envelope”).
2. Seal the Secrecy Envelope.
3. Place the sealed Secrecy Envelope into the Ballot Return Envelope.
4. Seal the Ballot Return Envelope.
5. Sign the declaration (on the back of the Ballot Return Envelope).
6. Enter the date where indicated (on the back of the Ballot Return Envelope).
7. Return the sealed Ballot Return Envelope.

Ballot Return Envelopes can now be returned to the drop box located in the lobby of the Delaware County Government Building in Media (accessible via Orange Street) or—beginning Mon., Oct. 24—at any of the more than three dozen drop box sites located throughout the County. Most sites will be open 24/7. The complete list of sites, including hours of operation, are available at delcopa.gov/dropbox.

Please note: The decision to open ballot drop boxes on Oct. 24 is due to staffing constraints. Voters will have two full weeks to return their ballot at any County drop box of their choice; this two-week period aligns with when the County has observed a steep increase in the use of drop boxes during recent elections and represents the best allocation of resources under the circumstances.

Voters can also return their completed ballots, properly sealed in the Secrecy and Ballot Return Envelopes, through the US Postal Service (no postage needed). If using the US Postal Service, voters are encouraged to use the drop-offs inside the lobby of a local post office.

Voters may verify the status of their ballot on the PA Department of State website at vote.pa.gov/MailBallotStatus.

Voters must return only their own ballot. The only exception is to assist a disabled voter or an emergency absentee voter, which requires a declaration form signed by the voter and by the person returning the ballot. This form is available on the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/dropbox.

If a voter needs help or information on paperwork for assisting a disabled voter—or if a mistake is made in completing and sealing the ballot—voters may call the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683). Voters may also visit the Delaware County Voter Service Center in Media to receive a replacement ballot and envelopes.

The Ballot Drop Box in the lobby of the Government Center Building in Media is now open and accepting Delaware County ballots 24/7 until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 8. In all, over three dozen Delaware County Ballot Drop Boxes will begin accepting Vote-by-Mail ballots on Mon., Oct. 24. Most sites will be open 24/7. The complete list of sites, including hours of operation, are available at delcopa.gov/dropbox.

Delaware County residents can visit the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/vote for additional election news, sample ballots and information on registering to vote for the first time or filing a name or address change.