CHAMBERSBURG – Franklin County announced last week that ballots were delayed due to a court case involving the Green Party candidates for President and Vice-President.
The case has since been resolved and Franklin County is in receipt of our official ballot certification from the Department of State which will allow us to proceed with the printing of ballots.
Absentee and mail-in ballots will begin to be mailed out early next week to voters that have submitted an application. Specimen ballots will also be available on the County’s website (www.franklincountypa.gov) beginning next week.
Beginning Monday, September 28th, voters will have the option to visit the Franklin County Voter Registration Office, Historic Courthouse, Memorial Square, 2 N. Main St., First Floor, Chambersburg to apply for a ballot, receive a ballot and vote in privacy all in the same visit.
The County announced some important changes that will aid voters in accessing the voter
Registration Office:
- Temporary parking (15 minute limit) along Lincoln Way East beside the Historic Courthouse will be permitted until the election thanks to approval by the Chambersburg Borough Council at their September 14th meeting.
- A temporary modification is made to the court’s cell phone policy for individuals dropping off ballots. Voters with a cell phone will not be turned away upon entering the Historic Courthouse as long as they are only visiting the Voter Registration Office and do not have court business.
Once receiving an absentee or mail-in ballot in the mail, the voter should mark their ballot as soon as possible and return it, either by mail or in-person. Some important things to remember when voting absentee or mail-in ballots:
- Blacken the ovals completely using a Medium Point Black Pen, if possible.
- Fold the ballot and place in the smaller secrecy envelope marked “OFFICIAL ELECTION BALLOT.” Failure to perform this step will disqualify your ballot per the Supreme Court’s ruling last week.
- Place the smaller secrecy envelope into the larger one and then fill out, date and SIGN the “Absentee/Mail-in Voter’s Declaration” on the back of the envelope. Failure to sign the declaration will cause your ballot to not be counted.
If a voter wishes to return their ballot in-person, only the actual voter may hand deliver the ballot. While Franklin County will not be utilizing drop boxes due to security concerns, there will be two locations available to return voted ballots Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm:
1) Franklin County Voter Registration Office
Historic Courthouse, Memorial Square
2 North Main Street, First Floor
Chambersburg
2) Franklin County Commissioners’ Office/County Board of Elections
340 North Second Street
(across from Corpus Christi Church)
WARNING: If a voter receives an absentee/mail-in ballot and returns their voted ballot by the deadline, they may not vote at their polling place on Election Day. If they do not return their voted ballot by the deadline, they may vote at their polling place upon surrendering their balloting material (both ballot and declaration envelope) to be voided. A declaration form will also need to be completed by the voter before receiving a regular ballot. If a voter does not return their unvoted absentee/mail-in ballot materials, they may only vote a provisional ballot.
Upcoming important dates include:
October 19th – the last day to register to vote, or make a change to a voter’s name, address or party affiliation
October 27th – the last day to apply for either an absentee or mail-in ballot. All applications must be In the office by 5:00 p.m.
November 3rd – Absentee and mail-in ballots must be returned in-person no later than 8:00 p.m. or placed in the mail to be postmarked November 3rd. These ballots will be counted a long as they are received by the County no later than Friday, November 6th.
