ON THIS PAGE:

∎ Two options for voting by mail ∎ Apply for a ballot
∎ Filling out your ballot ∎ Returning your ballot
∎ Other voting options ∎ Problems with your mail ballot
∎ More information about voting by mail

TWO OPTIONS FOR VOTING BY MAIL

Mail-in ballot – Any qualified voter may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason.

Absentee ballot – If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you should request this ballot type, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot.

APPLYING FOR A MAIL BALLOT

You must be registered to vote.
Check Your Registration Status to review your registration information.

You must submit an application in order to receive a ballot.

  • Apply Online at VotesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot with a valid PA driver’s license or photo I.D. from the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Apply in Person at the Lehigh County Voter Office, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown, PA 18101-2400, Phone 610-782-3194. Additionally, if your county’s ballot has been finalized and available, you may request and promptly receive your mail-in ballot to fill out and immediately return. (Early In-Person Voting)

Apply for a Mail-in Ballot on a paper form and mail or hand deliver the application.

▸Print an Application Form from the Lehigh County Government Website.
Fill out and mail or hand deliver to the Lehigh County Voter Office, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown, PA 18101-2400
If you do not have access to a printer, you can request a form from the Lehigh County Voter Office, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown, PA 18101-2400, Phone 610-782-3194

▸Go to Vote.pa.gov to download and print a paper application Mail-in ballot request form
Forms are available in: English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional

▸Submit an online request to have a form mailed to you

▸Call the Department of State at: 1-877-VOTES-PA (1-877-868-3772) and request a form be mailed to you

On-Line applications for absentee or mail voting are available in Spanish and Chinese
Select language in the upper right corner of the page.

Paper Applications Are Available in Several Languages:
Go to Vote.pa.gov to download and print a paper application Mail-in ballot request form
▸Forms are available in: English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional
(Choose Option #2 under “How to Apply for a Your Mail Ballot,” for list of forms in language needed.)

Application forms for mail-in/absentee ballots should be
RECEIVED no later than 5 PM on the Tuesday before the current election.
If it is less than 2 weeks before the deadline, you may not receive your ballot in time to meet submission deadline, it is recommended that you APPLY ONLINE, or VOTE EARLY IN PERSON at the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office (Deadline 5 PM the Tuesday before the election. See Election Calendar)

►Call the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at (610) 782-3194.

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If you missed the deadline to apply and emergency circumstances prevent you from voting at the polls
In case of an emergency, you can submit an Emergency Application for Alternative Ballot. You must submit this completed application to the County Election Office no later than 8 pm on Election Day.

Detailed instructions and Emergency Alternative Ballot Forms in English, Spanish and Chinese are available at PA.GOV — Voting by Emergency Alternative Ballot.

Yes. You must submit an application each year. You may choose to be added to the Annual Mail-in & Absentee Voter List (a permanent mail-in ballot request list), when you submit your first application, so you will automatically receive an application to renew your mail-in ballot request every year. You should receive this paper application during the month of February.
►You may apply for your ballot on line, instead of using the paper application you received from the Annual List.
►If you do not return the application or apply on line, you will still receive an application every year, until you cancel your annual status. You may vote at your polling place

You have the option of checking a box indicating you would like to apply to receive mail-in ballots for the remainder of this year and to automatically receive an annual application for mail-in ballots each year.

If you select that choice, once your application is approved, your name will be added to the Annual Mail-in & Absentee Voter List.
►You will automatically receive ballots for the remainder of the year and you do not need to submit an application for each election.
►You will also receive an application to renew your mail-in ballot request each year, in early February. You may choose to apply on line, you are not required to use the paper application.

If you indicate on your application that you would like to be added to the annual mail-in ballot request list, you will receive an application to renew your request for mail-in ballot each year.

Once your application is approved, you will automatically receive ballots for the remainder of the year and you do not need to submit an application for each election.

If you update your voter registration due to relocation out of county after you submit an annual mail-in request, please ensure your annual status is transferred when updating your address.

You can cancel your annual mail-in or absentee status by using the form found on the PA Gov Resource Center page or when you move to another county and do not request to transfer your status to the new county.

You can also request that your name be removed from the Annual List by calling the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at (610) 782-3194.

MORE INFORMATION FROM PA GOVERNMENT: vote.pa.gov

If you provided an e-mail address on your application, you should receive a confirmation e-mail.
(This may take one to two weeks.)

Check the status of your application and your ballot on the Election Ballot Status page.

You can also check the status of your application on the Voter Registration Status page.
After entering the requested information, you will see your Voter Status Record
Under Voter Record Details: “Do you have an approved mail ballot request for the upcoming election?”
If you see the YEAR, ELECTION, (election date) AND YES, the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office will be mail either an absentee or mail-in ballot to you when they are printed and available.

If you are still unsure of your status or have further questions:
Contact the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at 610-782-3194.

MORE INFORMATION FROM PA GOVERNMENT: vote.pa.gov

Your ballot will be mailed to you by the county voter office.

Notification by Email — If you provide your email address on the application, you will receive an e-mail confirmation when your application is processed and emails confirming your ballot has been sent to you and when it is received by the Voter Registration Office

Track your application and ballot online at PA Voter Services Ballot Tracking

►If you were sent an application, do not return it.

►Submit the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office’s Permanent Status Cancellation Form, to cancel your annual status.

►Use the form found on the PA Gov Resource Center page or when you move to another county and do not request to transfer your status to the new county.

►Call the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at (610) 782-3194.

MORE INFORMATION FROM PA GOVERNMENT: vote.pa.gov

►Submit the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office’s Permanent Status Cancellation Form, to cancel your annual status.

►Use the form found on the PA Gov Resource Center page or when you move to another county and do not request to transfer your status to the new county.

►Call the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at (610) 782-3194.

MORE INFORMATION FROM PA GOVERNMENT: vote.pa.gov

Unsolicited ballot applications or ballots are never sent out by the Pennsylvania government or your county election office. However, some organizations such as political parties, political campaigns and voter advocacy groups have mailed application forms to people listed on their contact lists.* This is legal under Pennsylvania law. If you choose to fill out this application form, it must be returned to the Lehigh County Voter Office. The Department of State recommends that voters sign up for a mail-in ballot online at vote.pa.gov. The online application is more secure and will be received faster than a mailed request. Only apply once.

*Some of these unsolicited applications have been sent to the deceased or people who no longer live at that address, a sign that these organizations are using outdated mailing lists. As a precaution, residents can contact the county voter office if they receive a mail-in ballot application sent to someone who no longer lives at that address. Lehigh County Voter Office 610-782-3194

FILLING OUT YOUR BALLOT

FILL OUT AND RETURN YOUR BALLOT ASAP
Read all of the instructions On the instruction sheet, on the ballot & on the outer envelope,
to insure that your vote will be counted.

► You must USE BOTH ENVELOPES, whether mailing, using a drop box or going to the Voter Registration office. Place ballot in the yellow secrecy envelope. Seal it.
Place this in the outer envelope that has printed address.

► You must SIGN & DATE the BACK OF THE OUTER MAILING ENVELOPE
Sign, in the box, where indicated on the lower left of the back of the envelope.
Date, in the boxes provided. Use the date you are signing. Month, day, year.
Seal the envelope.
BALLOTS THAT ARE RETURNED WITHOUT SIGNATURE, DATE AND INNER SECRECY ENVELOPE
WILL NOT BE COUNTED
Return Your Ballot ASPAP. Ballots must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.

Yes. If a voter is unable to complete their mail-in or absentee ballot independently, they may receive assistance from a person they choose.

Pennsylvania has also implemented an accessible remote ballot-marking solution for mail voting for use by voters with a disability. More information is available on vote.pa.gov or by calling 1-877-VOTES-PA (1-877-868-3772).

RETURNING YOUR BALLOT

Mail-in and Absentee Ballots must be RECEIVED by the Lehigh County Voter Office
by 8 pm on Election Day. Postmark does not count.
RETURN YOUR BALLOT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 

►Mail ASAP (one week before the election — choose another option)

►Return to a LEHIGH COUNTY SECURE DROP BOX (list of locations and hours)
First Date of Drop Box Availability TBA by Lehigh County Voter Office See Election Calendar

►Return to the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office, Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown Phone 610-782-3194
Regular Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Monday through Friday
See Election Calendar for office extended hours

Deadline for Ballot Drop-Off at the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office is 8 pm on Election Day.

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If you missed the deadline to apply and emergency circumstances prevent you from voting at the polls
In case of an emergency, you can submit an Emergency Application for Alternative Ballot. You must submit this completed application to the County Election Office no later than 8 pm on Election Day.

Detailed instructions and Emergency Alternative Ballot Forms in English, Spanish and Chinese are available at PA.GOV — Voting by Emergency Alternative Ballot.

Please allow the necessary time –- mail your ballot ASAP after you receive it. Mailed ballots must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. ONE WEEK BEFORE election day, returning to a DROP BOX IS RECOMMENDED (see next option).

Five Drop Boxes are available for Lehigh County voters.
Lehigh County Drop Box Locations and Hours
Return only your own ballot. This is the law. Violations may result in prosecution.
Exception: See Third Party Ballot Delivery for instructions and Certificate of Designated Agent Form, available in English and Spanish.

Ballots may be returned directly to the Lehigh County Voter Office
Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown
VOTER REGISTRATION OFFICE HOURS:
Regular Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Monday through Friday
Extended Hours Available on Certain Days See Election Calendar
ELECTION DAY DEADLINE AT THIS LOCATION IS 8 PM
Phone 610-782-3194

Return only your own ballot. Exception: See Third Party Ballot Delivery for instructions and Certificate of Designated Agent Form, available in English and Spanish.

NO. A voter can only hand in his or her own ballot to the Voter Registration Office. This is the law. Any bulk submissions or a ballot that is not your own will not be accepted. Violations may result in prosecution.
Exception: See Third Party Ballot Delivery on this linked page, for instructions and Certificate of Designated Agent Form, available in English, Spanish and Chinese.

NO.
If you received a mail ballot but did not complete it, you may surrender your incomplete mail ballot, along with both envelopes, at your polling place and vote a regular ballot.

If you did mark your mail ballot and returned it to your county board of elections, you are not eligible to vote at your polling place. If you believe that you are eligible to vote in person, you can vote by provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be reviewed by the county board of elections after Election Day.

If you requested a mail ballot but did not receive it, or you do not have it to surrender at your polling place, you may vote by provisional ballot at your polling place.

Remember that it is unlawful to fraudulently vote more than once in the same election.

OTHER VOTING OPTIONS

If you do not wish to vote by mail you are not required to submit an application to vote by mail. 
Your polling place will be open on Election Day from 7 am to 8 pm. Voters are strongly advised to wear masks out of respect to the people who volunteer in our elections. All poll workers are required to wear a mask.You can review Lehigh County’s voting process here: How to use the new Lehigh County Voting System.
If you applied for a mail-in ballot and decide you must vote at your polling place, please note:
YOU MUST BRING YOUR UNMARKED BALLOT and BOTH THE INNER and OUTER ENVELOPES with you, to present to the Judge of Elections. The Judge of Elections will “spoil” your Mail-In Ballot and you must complete and sign an “Elector’s Declaration to Surrender Their Mail Ballot,” before you will be permitted to vote. 

IF YOU BRING A MARKED BALLOT WITH YOU Election Officials cannot accept it. You may either take it to a ballot drop box location or vote by Provisional Ballot at your polling place.
IF YOU DO NOT BRING YOUR BALLOT WITH YOU, you may vote by a Provisional Ballot.

Voters who have not already requested a Mail Ballot may vote in person at the Voter Registration Office. The Lehigh County Voter Registration Office will announce the first date when you can request, receive, vote and cast your mail-in or absentee ballot all in one visit. Go to the Lehigh County Elections Office, Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown and request a mail ballot in person, and fill it out right then and there. First Date of Availability TBA by Lehigh County Voter Office, See Election Calendar

You will need your PennDOT ID number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Please refer to the list of ID requirements for mail-in or absentee ballots for more information.

Additional information on Voting early in-person by mail-in or absentee ballot available at VOTE.PA.GOV

NOTE: If you applied for a mail-in ballot, but did not receive your ballot in the mail, you may vote in person at the Voter Registration Office.

Deadline to Apply to Vote at the Office is 7 days before the election at 5 pm.

Voter Office Hours Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm
Extended hours will be listed on the Election Calendar when announced.
(Hours may change — check with Lehigh County Voter Office)
 610-782-3194

If you applied for a mail-in ballot and decide you must vote at your polling place:
YOU MUST BRING YOUR UNMARKED BALLOT and BOTH THE INNER and OUTER ENVELOPES with you, to present to the Judge of Elections. The Judge of Elections will “spoil” your Mail-In Ballot and you must complete and sign an “Elector’s Declaration to Surrender Their Mail Ballot,” before you will be permitted to vote. 

IF YOU BRING A MARKED BALLOT WITH YOU Election Officials cannot accept it. You may either take it to a ballot drop box location or vote by Provisional Ballot at your polling place.

IF YOU DO NOT BRING YOUR BALLOT WITH YOU, you may vote by a Provisional Ballot.
See What is voting by provisional ballot?

Also see https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/vote/voter-support/elections-faqs.html

If you are a registered voter but your eligibility to vote at your polling place is uncertain, or you have come to your polling place with a marked mail ballot, you have the right to vote a provisional ballot.

 A provisional ballot records your vote while the county board of elections determines whether it can be counted.

Voter returned a completed absentee or mail‐in ballot that was rejected by the county board of elections, and the voter believes they are eligible to vote.

Full instructions for voting by Provisional Ballot available at vote.pa.gov

PROBLEMS WITH YOUR MAIL BALLOT

Your ballot has a unique Bar Code associated with your name.
You can track your ballot online at Pa Voter Services
If you provide your email address in your application, you should receive e-mail updates from the state.

Track Your Ballot On-Line/Check the Status of Your Ballot On-Line
If you have any questions about the status of your ballot, or believe you will not receive your ballot in time to return it by election day, please contact Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at (610) 782-3194

If the status on the ballot tracker says CANC, your ballot has been canceled or rejected. You can contact the voter registration office for further details and a possible remedy. The ballot could be rejected for the following reasons:

  • You returned your ballot without a signature on the outer declaration envelope. You are permitted to go to the office and add your signature.
  • Your ballot was returned to the Voter Registration Office as undeliverable by the postal service.
  • Your ballot was returned to the Voter Registration Office without the inner secrecy envelope.

Contact the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at (610) 782-3194

If you receive a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot and are unable to return your voted mail-in ballot by the deadline, you may take your unmarked mail-in ballot and envelopes to the polls. It will be certified as spoiled and you can vote using the machines.

If you go to polls without your ballot or with a marked mail ballot, wanting to vote using the machine, you will be given a provisional ballot to use for voting. You may not vote using a machine.

You should sign the outer envelope, where indicated, in the lower left area on the back of the envelope. Sign, print your name and write the date you are signing in the correct area on the envelope.

If you accidentally sign in the box in the incorrect area of the envelope — draw a line through anything you wrote in that area (do not use white out).

MORE INFORMATION

ULDC Mail-In Voting Information Page

VOTE.PA.GOV Pennsylvania Government website
FAQ VOTING BY MAIL Pennsylvania Government website

Call the Lehigh County Voter Office 610-782-3194 or call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

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