Frequently Asked Questions

Provided by the Northampton County Office of Elections and Voter Registration

I recently moved. May I still vote?

Yes. All electors who have their voter registration record listed in the pollbook at the polling place may vote one last time even though they may have moved from the division. The law has changed; it no longer matters when the voter moved from the division; if his or her name is in the pollbook, the elector is entitled to vote. However, if a voter has moved, he should fill out a new voter registration application with his new address. The legislature has passed a law that this ability to vote at one's "old" address is limited to one time only. After that, a voter may be challenged as to residency.

I have not voted in a while. Am I still registered?

Probably. It is no longer legal to remove any voter from the rolls merely for not voting, no matter how long that may be, as long as they maintain their voter record with a valid address. Aside from death or requesting to be removed from the voter rolls, there are two ways that voters may be removed from the rolls. One is through an NCOA, or National Change of Address notice. The other is through a "5-Year No Contact" mailing. If a voter appears on either mailing list, they are sent a notice from our office. Failure to respond to that notice, or if the notice is returned to us as undeliverable, the voter is placed on "Inactive" status. When a voter is on "Inactive" status through two federal elections (even numbered year November elections), and has not voted, he may be purged.

May I vote by pressing the straight party button?

Not in a primary. Remember, you are choosing from among the candidates in a particular primary, or party. In a sense, all primary votes are straight ticket, because, except for the cross-filed offices, all candidates are of the same party. There is no straight party button in a primary.

Where is my polling place?

To access a list of polling place locations, click here.

Do I need my registration card to vote?

From 2004 forward, all new voters in a precinct need to provide some proof of residency. This is true whether the voter is a brand new voter or has recently moved. First time in a new precinct = bring ID. Under law in effect in 2003 and before, voters were not required to produce their registration card to vote. If an election official is having difficulty locating your name in a pollbook, having your card handy may be helpful and appreciated, but NO ONE MAY REQUIRE IT before allowing you to vote. Your signature match is your identification. Your registration card is compelling evidence, however, if you need to come to Election Day Court, if your name does not appear in the pollbook.

Can someone help me get to the polls?

There is no legal requirement that a person be given such assistance. We recommend, however, that you contact the County Committee of either party, or the campaign headquarters of a candidate you support. Democratic County Committee (610)-867-2764 Republican County Committee (610)-759-4641

May I have assistance in voting?

Yes, under the Pennsylvania Voter Registration Act (enacted June 30, 1995), State law implementing the Federal "Motor Voter" statute (the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 or NVRA) which took effect on January 1, 1996, a voter may have assistance in voting if he or she is unable to see or mark the ballot, operate the voting machine, or enter the voting machine booth without assistance. If the voter has not already indicated on his or her Registration Record that he or she will require assistance in voting, then that voter may fill out a declaration at the polling place on election day. NOTE: Polling place officials may erroneously believe that a registered elector of the division can only assist a voter. In fact, a voter may choose anyone to assist him or her with the following exceptions: a voter may not seek assistance from his or her employer; the agent of his or her employer; or an officer or agent of his or her union. (Explanation: an amendment to the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. {1973aa-6, effective 1/1/84) supersedes state law.) Under the new PA Act 150 of 2002, the precinct Judge of Election may likewise not provide in-booth assistance.

How much time do I have to vote?

The Election Code sets a maximum of three minutes. However, if other people are not waiting to vote, the election officers may allow you more time. Voters should familiarize themselves with the ballot by examining the full size or reduced size sample ballots posted at the polling place before they enter the voting machine. And remember; press the "X" in the corner, not the candidate's name.

If I am in line to vote before 8:00 p.m., but have not reached the voting machine, may I vote?

Yes. The law stipulates that anyone arriving at the polling place before 8 p.m. may vote, assuming that he or she is qualified to vote and his or her registration record is in the pollbook. A long line may force some individuals to vote after 8:00 p.m. This procedure is legal. The Office of Election Services recommends that a member of the Election Board, or the Constable, refrain from voting during the day, and that he or she stand at the end of the line at 8:00 p.m. This process will ensure that no one enters the line of voters after 8:00 p.m.

How are polling place officials chosen?

The Election Board consists of five officials: Judge of Election, Majority Inspector, Minority Inspector, Clerk, and Machine Inspector. All five should reside in the division where the polling place is located. The Judge of Election, Majority Inspector, and Minority Inspector are ELECTED to four-year terms. The current officials were selected in November 2001. The Clerk is appointed by the Minority Inspector, and the Machine Inspector is appointed by the County Board of Elections. Often, Judges of Election, Majority Inspectors, and Minority Inspectors are NOT elected. Why? In some cases, no one ran for the position and in others, the person who was elected moved away or became ill on election day. If a vacancy occurs before election day, a Court of Common Pleas Judge should be informed so he or she can appoint someone else to fill the vacancy. However, in most counties this procedure is often ignored. Instead, shortly before each election, the Office of Election Services appoints temporary officials. This informal process works adequately in most divisions.

Does the election board have to be bipartisan?

No. Although the Election Code attempts to create a bipartisan board, this result is not mandated. Generally, the Judge of Election and Majority Inspector are from one party, and the Minority Inspector and Clerk are from the other party. (The Machine Inspector gives one side a three-to-two majority.) However, last minute vacancies, and sheer unavailability of volunteers often hinder the creation of a bipartisan board.

Who is allowed inside the polling place?

From 6:00 a.m. until the polls open: members of the election board and all people with watchers' certificates. Candidates are allowed two watchers per polling place; political parties and bodies are allowed three watchers per polling place. Candidates and Committee people are not allowed inside the polling place unless they have watchers' certificates. During election hours (7:00 a.m. until the last person in line at 8:00 p.m. has voted), members of the election board, people with watchers' certificates (one watcher per candidate and one watcher per party and body), people waiting to vote, and people rendering assistance to voters authorized to receive it are allowed inside the polling place. Candidates and Committee people are not allowed in the polling place without watchers' certificates. Police are allowed inside the polling place if summoned by the Judge of Election. After the polls close: members of the election board, people with watchers' certificates, and candidates are allowed inside. Throughout the day: County Commissioners, election department employees on official business, and voting machine mechanics are allowed inside the polls. MEDIA PERSONNEL are NOT allowed inside the polling place at any time. NOTE: Any number of people may stand OUTSIDE the polling place. Anyone engaged in partisan political activity, however, must stand at least ten (10) feet from the entrance of the polling place.

How do I vote by absentee ballot?

Voting by absentee ballot is a two step process. First, one must apply for an absentee ballot. Forms for this purpose are available at the Election Office at 670 Wolf Avenue, Easton, from the political parties, online, and from many campaigns. You may also click on the link below, and print the page that comes up, and return it by mail. It is not possible to apply online or over the phone. You may apply by FAX, however. We need a signature to process an absentee ballot request. Once you have completed and submitted the absentee ballot application, you will receive the absentee ballot package. In it are inner and outer envelopes, the ballot itself, and explanatory sheets on any ballot questions. Applications must be received in our office by the Tuesday before any election, and the ballots must be received by the Friday before the election.

I voted by absentee ballot (or received a ballot but did not use it). May I vote in person?

Yes. In fact, the Election Code provides that unless you are 65 years of age or older, you must vote in person if possible. At the polling place, the Judge of Election will note on the appropriate form that you appeared to vote in person, and you will sign in and vote as if you had not requested and submitted an absentee ballot. When the absentee ballots are counted at the Board of Elections office after the polls close, your unopened absentee ballot will be marked VOID and will not be counted. Should you encounter any difficulty at the polls on election day, urge the official to contact the Office of Election Services at 610-559-3055. Note: Voters age 65 or older are permitted by law to submit an "alternative ballot" if their polling place is not handicapped accessible. These voters may also go to the polls to cast their ballots.

When are absentee ballots to be opened?

Absentee ballots are opened after the polls close on election day (8:00 p.m.) and the Board of Elections has had the opportunity to set aside and mark VOID any absentee ballots submitted by voters who were ultimately able to vote at the polls on election day (e.g. your scheduled business trip to another town was canceled, so that you are in your precinct on election day and you vote at your local polling place).

When are they counted?

An unofficial count is made at the precinct and posted at the polling place. Since the rules for counting absentee ballots can be complicated, the official count is done in the Office of Election Services starting at 9:00AM on the Friday after the election. They are then added to the Election Night totals.

When are provisional ballots to be opened?

Provisional ballots are opened the day after the election, the information is reviewed and then determined if the vote may be counted.

Who is allowed in the polling place?

The Board of Election is at the polls from 6am until after 8pm. The voters begin arriving 7am until 8pm. Poll Watchers may be appointed by a candidate or party (must obtain a certificate from the Election Division and must present the Northampton County Watcher Certificate to the Election Board) Candidates appearing on the ballot are to cast their vote and then vacate from inside the polling facility.

How do I vote on the Sequoia Voting System?

VOTER INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1: Enter the booth. Lighted arrows will appear next to each office.
Step 2: Select a candidate by pressing the square to the right of your choice. An arrow will appear next to the name. To change a selection, press the square again. The arrow will disappear and you may make another choice.
Step 3: Vote the entire ballot, if desired. After all the selections are made, then press the Cast Vote button in the lower right hand corner. The lights will turn off and a tone will sound to signal that your vote has been cast. Exit the booth.
How do I "write-in" a vote?
WRITE-IN PROCEDURES FOR VOTER INSTRUCTION:
Step 1: Press the Write-In Square for the chosen office.
Step 2: The arrow will flash. The arrow will continue flashing until the write-in is complete or until the square is pressed a second time to deselect the write-in.
Step 3: Using the write-in keypad below the ballot, key in the name you wish to write-in. You will see the letters appear in the window to the left of the keypad.
Step 4: If you make an error on a write-in, press the left arrow key to move back. To make a space, press the right arrow key.
Step 5: When you are finished keying the name, press Enter on the write-in keypad.

Regulations in force at polling places

(a) Until the polls are closed, no person shall be allowed in the polling place outside of the enclosed space at any primary or election, except the watchers, voters not exceeding ten at any one time who are awaiting their turn to vote, and peace officers, when necessary for the preservation of the peace. No elector shall be allowed to occupy a voting compartment or voting machine booth already occupied by another, except when giving assistance as permitted by this act.
(b) No elector, except an election officer, clerk, machine inspector or overseer, shall be allowed to re-enter the enclosed space after he has once left it, except to give assistance as provided by this act.
(c) No person, when within the polling place, shall electioneer or solicit votes for any political party, political body or candidate, nor shall any written or printed matter be posted up within the said room, except as required by this act.
(d) All persons, except election officers, clerks, machine inspectors, overseers, watchers, persons in the course of voting, persons lawfully giving assistance to voters, and peace and police officers, when permitted by the provisions of this act, must remain at least ten (10) feet distant from the polling place during the progress of the voting.
(e) When the hour for closing the polls shall arrive, all qualified electors who have already qualified, and are inside the enclosed space, shall be permitted to vote; and, in addition thereto, all those qualified electors who are in the polling place outside the enclosed space waiting to vote and all those voters who are in line either inside or outside of the polling place waiting to vote, shall be permitted to do so, if found qualified.
(f) It shall be the duty of the judge of election to secure the observance of the provision of this section, to keep order in the voting room, and to see that no more persons are admitted within the enclosed space than are permitted by this act. The judge of election may call upon any constable, deputy constable, police officer or other peace officer to aid him in the performance of his duties under this section.