DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — April 8 is the last day to register to vote for the primary election on April 23. With many counties ramping up production and voter access, Dauphin County has added more drop-off ballot boxes to the area.
Dauphin County now has more ballot boxes than the surrounding counties.
“The most choices you may have, especially in an election, would be the primary election,” said George Hartwick, Dauphin County's commissioner.
Four drop boxes have been placed outside Magisterial District offices and one was placed outside the Dauphin County Bureau of Registration and Elections Office. Hartwick says that the county has been the epicenter for safe, secure, and accessible elections.
“You can expect the same level of operations that you would expect in Dauphin County elections, just with few more options for drop off,” said Hartwick.
So far, over 16,000 mail-in and absentee ballots have come into the Dauphin County Board of Elections, according to officials. The drop boxes are located in places that are closer to where senior citizens live, those without transportation and in secure areas like the Magisterial Court Houses. There is 24-hour surveillance at the courthouses.
The Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth is also encouraging people to vote and letting people know that drop-box locations are safe and secure.
“Our entire system of government depends on voters making their voice heard, not just for president of the United States but for all of the offices that represent you, so casting your vote is your opportunity to have a say on who’s going to be making decisions on your behalf,” said Al Schmidt, the PA Secretary of the Commonwealth.
“You can return it through the mail, but this is certainly faster as it goes right to the Board of Elections. It’s safe and secure,” Schmidt continued.
Other counties are preparing for election season but are not offering drop-boxes for voters with absentee or mail-in ballots. Lancaster County utilizes over 1,500 volunteers for their election season but it’s not enough to keep watch on the drop-box.
“People need to realize that when we’re talking about drop boxes, it’s one thing to have eyes on it through a video camera or what have you but it’s another to actually have it staffed,” said Ray D’Agostino, Lancaster County Commissioner.
York County does not have a drop-box but implements a curbside service so voters can physically hand their ballot to a Board of Elections member, a way both counties say is more safe and secure.
However, the work doesn’t start until you register to vote.
“It’s important that everybody be a part of the process to have their voice heard. We want as many people voting as possible to get as large of a turnout as possible,” said Greg Monskie, COO and County Clerk of York.
Important dates to remember:
The last day to register to vote is April 8.
The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is April 16.
The deadline to return voted ballots is 8 p.m. on April 23.
You are not allowed to turn in someone's ballot unless you have proper documentation. According to PA’s voting website, “The only exceptions are if you are a voter with a disability and have designated someone, in writing, to deliver your ballot, or if you need an emergency absentee ballot.”
To register to vote or find a location near you click here.
For more information about voting in Dauphin County, click here.
Download the FOX43 app here.