Delaware County Elections’ 2023 Primary Election Kickoff
What voters need to know with one month until Election Day
Delaware County Elections continues preparations for the May 16, 2023 Primary Election. Final polling site assignments, ballot mailings, and equipment testing are proceeding, and staff and volunteer training activities are well under way in anticipation of increased voter requests for services and information during the final weeks before Election Day.
The deadline to register to vote—for first-time voters and those who need to update addresses, names, or party affiliations—is Monday, May 1. The deadline for voters to apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot is Tuesday, May 9. Election Day is Tuesday, May 16, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (which is also the cut-off for the County to receive civilian mail-in ballots).
Primaries: Who Can Vote?
In most areas, only voters registered with the Democratic or Republican parties will be eligible to vote in the Primary Election. Independent and third-party voters will be able to participate only in the two areas with Special Elections: the 163rd State Representative District and Radnor Township Ward 4. In all other parts of Delaware County, only voters registered with the Democratic or Republican parties will be able to cast ballots in the Primary Election.
Two Special Elections Where all Eligible Voters may Participate
Pennsylvania holds special elections when there is a vacancy in an office and the law requires an election to fill the post for the remainder of that term.
Due to vacancies in office, voters in the 163rd State Representative District will be electing a new House Representative, and voters in Radnor Township’s 4th Ward (Precincts 1 and 2), will be electing a new Township Commissioner. In both special elections, voters should be aware that the winning candidates will take office shortly after the election. This is unlike the primary contests, where candidates are seeking the nomination to represent a party on the November ballots. The Special Election for each of these offices will be at the end of the Republican and Democratic Primary ballots and will be the only item on “third-party” Special Election ballots for third-party/non-affiliated voters registered in the 163rd District and Radnor Ward 4. More information about Special Elections is available at delcopa.gov/special.
Sample Ballots, Candidate Lists, and Polling Places
Sample ballots, a candidate list and other resources are available at the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/sample. Easy-to-use polling place resources, including an interactive map, downloadable list, and a lookup tool, will be finalized soon at delcopa.gov/polls.
Voter Registration
To vote in Delaware County, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age and have been a resident of the precinct at least 30 days before Election Day. Qualified voters can register online at delcopa.gov/register2vote, by mail (forms are at delcopa.gov/registerbymail), or in-person in Voter Registration at the Government Center Building at 201 W. Front Street in Media.
In-person registrations are due by 4:30 p.m. on May 1, and on-line registrations must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 1. Voters can verify their registration status at the Department of State’s Votes PA website at delcopa.gov/regstatus.
Vote-by-Mail Ballots
The bulk of Delaware County vote-by-mail ballots requested so far will be mailed on or before April 21. 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.
Voters who can apply to vote by mail by 5 p.m. on Tues., May 9. Vote-by-Mail applications can be submitted on the Votes PA website accessible at delcopa.gov/vbm-app.
Secure Ballot Drop Boxes
Delaware County Elections maintains more than three dozen secure ballot drop boxes with video security. Drop boxes are located across the county, and Delaware County voters can use any drop box in the county.
The Government Center drop box (inside the Orange Street entrance) will open April 20, 2023. All other County ballot drop boxes will open May 1. Most drop boxes are open 24/7; however, two indoor sites have limited hours. A complete list of sites and hours is at the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/dropbox.
Additional Resources: The Election Hotline, Voter Service Center and the Delco Votes! website
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 will open Thurs., April 20 and provide 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.
