Released: February 6, 2023
Preparations are underway for the May 16, 2023 Primary Election. Today (Feb. 6), the Delaware County Bureau of Elections will complete the mailing of approximately 100,000 vote-by-mail applications to those voters who qualified for—or requested an application for—a mail-in or absentee ballot for the 2023 election cycle.
This mailing will consist of applications—not ballots. The specific races, and the possible inclusion of ballot questions and constitutional amendments that may appear on the Primary ballots, are not final. Delaware County ballots will include a combination of contests and candidates for State Court judges, District Attorney, County Council, and Magisterial District Judges, and local school and municipal contests.
Visit the Delaware County 'Vote-by-Mail Ballots' web page on the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/vbm information regarding vote-by-mail ballots, including applications.
Citizens who need to register for the first time—or who need to file updates of their registration name or address—have until Monday, May 1 to register or file updates. Voters can register to vote or file name/address changes to their existing registration online at delcopa.gov/registration or in person at the Voter Registration office on the first floor of the Government Center Building, 201 W. Front St. in Media, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Official Nomination Petition Packets Now Available
Updated 2023 nomination petition packets—inclusive of the official candidate declaration, blank signature forms, financial interest documents, filing fact sheets, and general instructions and details—are now available for download from the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/candidates.
The first day for candidates and their supporters to circulate nomination petitions is Tues., February 14, and the last day is Tues., March 7.
All prospective candidates are also strongly encouraged to consult with a solicitor who is versed in the election code and campaign-finance requirements.
Please note: The County has been alerted that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued this order involving changes to Magisterial District Judge (MJD) lines. Changes “effective” Jan. 2024 will be reflected on the 2023 ballots so that candidates may be elected to begin serving in Jan. 2024.
Primary Overview
Primary elections are held each Spring to allow voters to select their party’s nominees for the fall general election ballots.
As in all counties in Pennsylvania, only voters whose registrations are affiliated with the Democratic Party may vote a Democratic Primary ballot, and only those whose registrations are affiliated with the Republican Party can vote a Republican Primary ballot. Voters with any other affiliations will be allowed to vote a “third party ballot” that will list only referendum questions. If there is no referendum, third-party voters will not be able to cast ballots at the Primary.
For more information about voting in Delaware County, please visit the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/vote or call the Delaware County Elections Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE.