IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR ALL VOTERS

Here are seven things the new Act 77 voting law does:

1. Allows no-excuse mail-in voting: The law creates a new option to vote by mail without needing an excuse, which is currently required for voters using absentee ballots.
You will need to apply for a Mail-In Ballot. The ballot and instructions will then be mailed to you by the county election office. (See number 3 for additional information on permanent mail-in list.)

Absentee Ballots will still be used for those who qualify. If you qualify for an Absentee Ballot that is the request form you must use.

Instructions are available from PA Voter Services for determining whether you need to a Apply for an Absentee Ballot or a Mail-In Ballot: Which Ballot Should I Use? This page will direct you to the appropriate APPLICATION FORMS for APPLYING ON-LINE or to PRINT & MAIL. Please carefully read all instructions.

The Lehigh County Voter Registration Office has printed copies of the application forms available in its office.

2. Sets a 50-day mail-in voting period: Voters can request and submit their mail-in or absentee ballot up to 50 days before the election.

APPLICATIONS FOR AN ABSENTEE OR MAIL-IN BALLOT MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5 PM ON THE TUESDAY BEFORE THE ELECTION(post mark will not count).

BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 8 PM ON ELECTION DAY (postmark will not count).

3. Establishes a permanent mail-in and absentee ballot list: Voters can request to receive applications for mail-in or absentee ballots for all primary, general and special elections held in a given year. Counties will mail applications to voters on the list by the first Monday of each February. Voters who return an application will receive ballots for each election scheduled through the next February.

4. Extends voter registration time: The deadline to register to vote is now 15 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ELECTION.

5. Extends mail-in and absentee submission deadlines: Voters can submit mail-in and absentee ballots until 8 p.m. on election day.
BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 8 PM On ELECTION DAY (postmark will not count).

6. Eliminates straight-party ticket voting: Voters will no longer have a short cut straight party button to vote for all candidates of one party. This does not prevent a voter from individually selecting  candidates from one party. 

7. Authorizes a $90 million bond for voting systems: The law will allow for the bond to reimburse counties for 60 percent of their actual costs to replace voting systems. The new systems will have enhanced security to prevent hacking and produce an anonymous paper record.
Lehigh County instituted a new paper ballot system during the November 2019 municipal elections. The County is reviewing how the voting system worked in various precincts.
How to Use the New Lehigh County Voting System (Includes a video demonstration)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

PA Government Details on Act 77 at VotesPA

PA Government Votes PA Resource Center
Choose from the links in the Resource Center to download application and forms or to view media files on the following topics:

  • Register to Vote
  • Voting in Pennsylvania
  • Mail-In Ballot Application (Available mid-February 2020)
  • Vote by Absentee
  • Vote by Alternative Ballot
  • Agent or Assistant Forms for Absentee or Alternative Ballots
  • Provisional Ballots
  • Contact Information for County Election Contacts, Complaint Forms