A primer on registration deadlines, drop boxes and more

Also, counties begin sending out mail-in ballots

The primary voting season is underway in the Lehigh Valley.

Lehigh and Northampton counties this week began sending out mail-in ballots to registered voters who requested them for the May 20 primary election.

On-demand voting, where eligible residents can register to vote and fill out mail-in ballots in person at their county election office, is also set to go.

There is still time to register to vote and sign up to vote by mail or absentee ballot. The deadline to register to vote is May 5 and to ask for a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 13.

Drop boxes in both counties are ready to accept mail-in and absentee ballots.

REGISTERING TO VOTE
Deadline to register: May 5
Who is eligible to register: You must be a U.S. citizen for at least one month before the May 20 primary. You must be a resident of Pennsylvania and of the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the primary. You must be at least 18 on or before the day of the primary. You must register to vote with the address where you actually live – your residential address.
How to register: Click here.
How to check your registration status: Click here.
Information: 1-877-868-3772

VOTING BY MAIL
You must be registered to vote to request an application to vote by mail. Absentee voting and emergency absentee voting are also available.

How to request a mail-in ballot: Click here.
Last day to request a mail-in ballot: Must be received in your county election office by 5 p.m. on May 13. For more information on mail-in voting, click here.
Information for overseas military and civilians: Click here.
How to submit mail-in ballots: Voters can return their ballots by mail. They can also drop them at their county election office or at official drop-box locations in their counties. Voters legally can submit only their own ballots by mail or to county offices and drop-off boxes. However, voters with a disability defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act can designate someone to do it for them by filling out a form.
Mail-in ballot due date: Mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on May 20. Ballots received after 8 p.m. with May 20 postmarks will not be accepted.
Filling out mail-in ballots: The Pennsylvania Department of State reminds mail-in voters to make sure they fill their ballots out correctly. All ballots – whether mailed, placed in drop boxes or turned into county election offices – must be enclosed in the yellow secrecy envelope before being sealed in the outer envelope with gray lettering and purple trim. Secrecy envelopes cannot have any identifying marks. Outer envelopes must be signed and dated.

What if a mail-in voter wants to vote in person? If you have a mail-in ballot that hasn’t been received by your county election office, you can bring it to your polling place and then vote in person. If you lost your mail-in ballot, you can request a provisional ballot at your polling place.
Missed the deadline? If you have an emergency (unexpected illness or disability or last-minute absence from your municipality) you may still be able to get a ballot after the deadline. Information: emergency absentee ballot.

Northampton Polling Place Changes

LEHIGH COUNTY DROP-BOX LOCATIONS
Whitehall Township Municipal Building
3219 MacArthur Road, Whitehall
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lehigh County Authority Lobby
1053 Spruce Road, Wescosville
Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Fountain Hill Borough Building
941 Long St., Fountain Hill
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lehigh County Government Center
17 S. Seventh St., Allentown
Available 24/7 at main entrance

Macungie Borough Building
21 Locust St., Macungie
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY DROP-BOX LOCATIONS
Northampton County Courthouse (Rotunda)
669 Washington St., Easton
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon
Election Day, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
When dropping off a ballot, voters can park for free in the loading-and-unloading zone on Washington Street in front of the courthouse or use the parking lot at the Wolf Avenue and Washington Street intersection.

Northampton County Human Services Building
2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem Township
Main Entrance Vestibule
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Election Day, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Northampton County 911 Center
Main Entrance Vestibule
100 Gracedale Ave., Upper Nazareth Township
Available 24/7, Election Day until 8 p.m.

Bethlehem City Hall
10 E. Church St., Bethlehem
Main lobby
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Election Day, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Washington Township Municipal Building
1021 Washington Blvd., Washington Township
Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fridays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Election Day, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

East Allen Township Municipal Building
5344 Nor-Bath Blvd., East Allen Township
Monday to Friday and Election Day, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Fowler Family Southside Center
Northampton Community College
511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem
Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Fridays, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Election Day, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.