Mail-In Voting Now Permitted for All Pennsylvanians
When it comes to changes in voting, Delaware County’s new paper-ballot machines have gotten the lion’s share of the attention. But an equally important change is being made across the entire state. PA Act 77, signed into law late last year, permits mail-in voting for every voter who wants it. Here’s how it will work, and how it’s different from absentee voting.
Absentee ballots — which have been around for decades — may only be used by people who are physically unable to get to their local polling place. This could be because of illness, disability, religious observance, travel for work or pleasure, college attendance, military service, or incarceration for a non-felony.
The new mail-in ballots, by contrast, will be available to anyone else who wishes to vote by mail, with no reason required (“no-excuse mail-in voting”). If you fall into one of the categories listed above, you will still request an absentee ballot. But if you don’t, you may request a mail-in ballot.
Requests for either kind of ballot must be received by the elections office at least one week before election day. For the April 28, 2020 primary election, that means by April 21.
The application may be made online, by mailing in a request, or by going in person to the county election office. Delaware County’s election office is located in the Government Center Building, 201 W. Front St., Media. Request a mail-in or absentee ballot online.
