How Do I Vote?
Frequently Asked Questions
In-Person Voting:
Should I check to see if I am registered at my current address?
YES -- there are 3 ways to do this:
Call 1-877-868-3772
Go to VotesPa.com and click on “Check Your Registration Status”
How can I find my polling place?
Polling places for Lansdowne are posted on VotesPA.com and LansdowneVotes.com. Polling places may change, so be sure to check at one of these sites before you go to vote in person.
As of Sept. 19, 2023, Pennsylvania has implemented automatic voter registration (AVR) for eligible Commonwealth residents obtaining driver licenses and ID cards at Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) driver and photo license centers, unless they opt out of doing so. By implementing AVR, Pennsylvania joins a group of 23 states who have taken this step to promote election security and save taxpayers time and money.
Am I protected from Covid 19 if I vote in person?
Election officials are working hard to protect you and themselves. Wearing a mask is optional for both voters and poll workers. If the community-transmission rate in Delaware County increases closer to Election Day, the Delaware County Department of Public Health and the Delaware County Board of Elections may issue an update to require that poll workers (but not voters) wear masks.
Voting rooms are large, with tables and machines well-spaced apart. Each voter will have their own private space for marking the ballot.
Tables, scanning machines, and other surfaces will be wiped with disinfectant before voters are admitted and repeatedly throughout the day.
These procedures have been in place since the 2020 election, and they have succeeded in preventing the spread of Covid 19 among voters and poll workers.
If I’m not registered to vote, can I register on Election Day?
NO -- Pennsylvania does not have same-day registration. Oct. 21, 2024, will be the last day to register before the Nov. 5, 2024, election.
I lost my voter registration card. What should I do?
Don’t panic! You don’t need it to vote.
Do I need a photo ID to vote?
As a general rule, you do not need ID to vote. However, you do need one if you’re voting for the first time ever (congratulations!) or for the first time in a particular precinct.
Approved forms of photo ID include:
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Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card
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ID issued by any Commonwealth of PA agency
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ID issued by the U.S. Government
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U.S. passport
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U.S. Armed Forces ID
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Student ID
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Employee ID
If you do not have a photo ID, your non-photo identification must include your name and address. Examples include:
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Confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
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Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth of PA
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Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
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Firearm permit
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Current utility bill
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Current bank statement
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Current paycheck
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Government check
When is Election Day, and what times are the polls open?
Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Polling places are open from 7 AM to 8 PM -- if you are in line at 8 PM, you will be able to vote even if you haven’t gotten to the front of the line yet. If you are not in line by 8 PM, you will not be allowed to vote.
Make a plan for what time you are going to vote on Election Day -- planning ahead really helps!
Mail-In Voting
What is the process for voting by mail in Pennsylvania?
Complete an application to vote by mail and make sure the application is received at the Bureau of Elections in Media by Nov. 5. Either:
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complete and submit the application on-line at VotesPA.com or
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request an application by calling 610-891-4673.
SUBMIT THE APPLICATION IMMEDIATELY!
You will receive a confirmation of your mail-in status by email or regular mail.
You will receive a ballot in the mail.
More than 16,000 PA ballots were discarded in the 2022 November election because of easily avoided mistakes.
1) Complete the circles on the ballot (don’t make check marks) with a blue or black pen.
2) Don’t Submit a “Naked Ballot” -- use BOTH envelopes to return your ballot -- put the secrecy envelope in the outer envelope.
3) Sign the outer envelope -- your vote doesn’t count unless you sign.
4) Date the outer envelope -- your vote doesn’t count unless you date your signature.
5) Seal the outer envelope.
6) Send your ballot through U.S. mail or leave it at an official drop-box. The Lansdowne drop-box is in front of the firehouse on Highland Avenue.
7) If sending via the U.S. mail, put a first-class stamp on the outer envelope and mail it 7 to 10 days before the election.
8) Your ballot must be in a drop-box or RECEIVED through via USPS at the county election board by 8PM on election night.
Follow the instructions carefully and return your ballot as soon as possible. You will receive confirmation that your ballot was received.
>The Delaware County Board of Elections must receive your completed mail-in ballot by 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 5!<
Even if you voted by mail last year, you have to apply again to vote by mail this year.
Drop Boxes
In Lansdowne, a drop box will be available in front of the firehouse at 26 N. Highland Ave. from October 14 through Election Day. You do not have to use the drop box in Lansdowne, however. You can put your completed ballot in any drop box in Delaware County. Click here for a map of drop box locations in Delaware County, or call Delco Voter Hotline: 610-891-VOTE (8683).
By law, no one else can drop off your ballot for you unless you are a disabled voter or an emergency absentee voter. In that case, you and the person assisting you are required to sign a formal declaration. The form is found here.
What can I do if I’ve decided I don’t want to vote by mail even though I applied for a mail-in ballot?
First check where your polling place is at VotesPA.com or LansdowneVotes.com. Polling places may change, so be sure to check at one of these sites before you go to vote in person.
When you go to your polling place between 7 AM and 8 PM, bring your blank ballot with BOTH envelopes with you and give it to the Judge of Elections. Turning in your unused mail-in ballot will speed up your voting process. After you turn it in, you’ll be able to vote in the regular manner.
If you previously applied for permanent mail-in status and want to cancel it, you can do so by filling out this form and mailing it to:
Delaware County Bureau of Elections
2501 Seaport Drive
Suite BH120
Chester, PA 19013-2267
What should I do if I don’t receive confirmation that my application was received?
Call the DelCo Voter Hotline: 610-891-VOTE (8683)
What should I do if I don’t receive my ballot?
Call the DelCo Voter Hotline: 610-891-VOTE (8683)
What should I do if I don’t receive confirmation that my ballot was received?
Call the DelCo Voter Hotline: 610-891-VOTE (8683)
What should I do if I don’t receive the ballot before Election Day?
You may complete a provisional ballot in-person at your polling place on Election Day. Tell the poll worker that you applied for a mail-in ballot but never received it.
If you have additional questions about voting, feel free to send an email to Lansdowne.Votes@gmail.com.