Delaware County Elections Issues Final Vote-by-Mail Guidance

Released: October 28, 2022

Delaware County voters have until 11:59 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 1, to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot for the upcoming Nov. 8, 2022 General Election. Delaware County Elections is issuing the following guidance for voters who plan to vote with a vote-by-mail ballot (either a no-excuse mail-in ballot or a traditional absentee ballot) during this election.

Guidance for voters who have not received their vote-by-mail ballot

All vote-by-mail ballot applicants receive an email from the Pennsylvania Department of State informing them that their vote-by-mail ballot has been mailed. Voters who do not receive their vote-by-mail ballot within 6 days of the email can do one of the following:

Visit the Delaware County Voter Service Center, located on the ground floor of the Delaware County Government Center Building in Media, to obtain a replacement vote-by-mail ballot and envelope packet. Voters may receive and then mark the ballot and submit the envelope during the same visit. The Voter Service Center is open:

- Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon
- Election Day, Nov. 8: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

(or)

Send an email to the Delaware County Bureau of Elections at delcoelection@co.delaware.pa.us to request that their vote-by-mail ballot and envelope packet be re-mailed.

For identify verification purposes, voters must include:

- Full registration name
- Delaware County registration address
- Mailing address that was selected for ballot
- Date of birth

Guidance for voters who have not yet applied for a vote-by-mail ballot

Delaware County voters who still want to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot have two options:

Apply online at delcopa.gov/vbm-app by Mon., Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. A valid PennDOT driver’s license or state ID number is required.

Apply in-person at the Voter Service Center, by Mon. Nov. 1, at 4:30 p.m. Valid ID is required.

- Fri., Oct. 28, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Sat., Oct. 29, 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon
- Mon., Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Tues., Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Guidance for voters who only recently applied for a vote-by-mail ballot

Voters may check the status of their vote-by-mail ballot at delcopa.gov/ballot-tracker. Voters can also contact the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (Mon. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) with questions on any election-related topic.

Guidance for voters who have not yet returned their vote-by-mail ballot

Marking your ballot: Use blue or black ink. Fill in the box to the left of each selection. Never use the Write-In space for a candidate whose name is already on the ballot. Such votes are not valid.

Don’t Vote Naked! Voters must place their ballot inside the white secrecy envelope (marked “Ballot Return Envelope”), and then place that sealed white envelope inside the larger “Ballot Return Envelope” that the voter signs and dates. Failure to use both envelopes properly creates a “naked” ballot that is not eligible for counting. Voters who believe they sent a “naked ballot” can visit the Voter Service Center for a replacement.

How to Return Vote-by-Mail Ballot: Signed & sealed Ballot Return Envelopes may be placed in any of the County’s more than three dozen ballot drop boxes through 8 p.m. on Election Day (with the exception of Chadds Ford, which closes at 4 p.m. on Election Day) or returned through the US Postal Service (postage is provided). Note: To be counted, ballots must arrive in the Elections Department by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day if sent through the US Postal Service.

Voters are reminded that the return of a ballot by anyone other than the voter them self is prohibited— unless the person returning the ballot is rendering assistance to a disabled voter or an emergency absentee voter. Such assistance requires a declaration signed by the voter and by the person rendering assistance.

Voters who attempt to return ballots on behalf of other voters without authorization will be referred to the Delaware County District Attorney for investigation.

Guidance for military and overseas voters

Per Pennsylvania Law, military and overseas voters must submit their completed ballot for delivery by mail no later than 11:59 p.m., Nov. 7 (the day BEFORE Election Day), and the Delaware County Bureau of Elections must receive the ballot by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 15 (one week after Election Day).

For more information, voters are reminded that the Delaware County’s election website — Delco Votes! — provides election news, sample ballots, ballot drop box locations, in-person polling location information, access to downloadable and online forms, livestreams and recordings of Board of Elections meetings, and more at delcopa.gov/vote.