Released: April 21, 2023
The Delaware County Bureau of Elections completed the mailing of more than 28,000 vote-by-mail ballots (including both mail-in ballots and absentee ballots) on Thursday, April 20, for the upcoming May 16, 2023 Primary Election. The Bureau of Elections expects all vote-by-mail ballots to be delivered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) by no later than Monday, April 24.
This mailing includes all vote-by-mail ballots for voters who submitted a vote-by-mail application by April 7. Voters who applied on or before April 7 should call the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683) if they have not received their ballot in the mail by Monday, April 24.
Additional Delaware County vote-by-mail ballots will be released in weekly batches as additional voters submit vote-by-mail applications through the Tuesday, May 9 application deadline.
Delaware County voters who are casting a Vote-by-Mail ballot can return their completed ballot immediately through USPS (either through their mail carrier or at any USPS postal office). Voters can also cast their ballot immediately at the ballot drop box located on the ground floor of the Government Center Building, located at 201 W. Front Street in Media, until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, May 16. The drop box is open 24 hours a day.
Beginning Monday, May 1, voters will also be able to return their Vote-by-Mail ballot at any of the more than three dozen Delaware County ballot drop box sites located in municipalities across the county. Most drop box sites will be open 24/7. The complete list of sites, including hours of operation, are available at delcopa.gov/dropbox. Ballots must be received by the Delaware County Bureau of Elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, May 16.
Delaware County Elections reminds voters to properly mark, seal, and return their Vote-by-Mail ballot to ensure that the ballot can be counted. Voters must follow these steps:
If a mistake is made in completing and sealing the ballot, voters can call the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683) for guidance. Voters can also visit the Delaware County Voter Service Center in Media to receive a replacement ballot or envelope.
As a reminder, Vote-by-Mail ballots are sent only to those voters who have completed and signed an application to vote by mail in 2023, which must include valid ID. Applications are available on the Delco Votes! website. Voters may verify the status of their ballot on the PA Department of State website at vote.pa.gov/MailBallotStatus.
Delaware County registered voters who apply for a vote-by-mail ballot but do not receive their ballot within 5 business days are asked to contact the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683).
Voters must only return 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.
Delaware County voters have several resources available to help simplify the voting process. The Delaware County Election Hotline (610-891-VOTE) is available Mon. through Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Delaware County Voter Service Center is now open and provides a variety of in-person voter services weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Starting April 26, hours will be extended on Wednesday evenings through 8 p.m., and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. On Election Day only, the Voter Service Center will open at 7 a.m. and remain open through the close of polls at 8 p.m.
The Delaware County’s election website — Delco Votes! — provides news, sample ballots, ballot drop box locations, polling location information, access to downloadable and online forms, livestreams and recordings of Board of Elections meetings, and more at delcopa.gov/vote.