The primary election is less than two weeks away, and while President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump already have locked in their parties’ nomination, there’s still plenty of important races for Lehigh Valley voters to decide.
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 23, but early voting through mail ballots has begun.
Here’s what you need to know before voting.
Can anyone vote in the Pennsylvania primary?
Despite efforts to change it, Pennsylvania remains a closed primary state, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can cast votes for candidates in their respective primaries. April 8 was the deadline to register to vote or change your voter registration. The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 5 general election is Oct. 21.
However, both Whitehall and Heidelberg townships have open space referendums on their primary ballots. All registered voters in both townships can cast their yes or no votes on the ballot questions.
Who’s on the ballot?
The highest profile race in the Lehigh Valley is between Republicans running to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild for the 7th District seat in November. Voters will choose between state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, businessman Kevin Dellicker and attorney Maria Montero.
All of the state House seats and half of Pennsylvania Senate seats will be up for election in November, but only three seats in the Lehigh Valley have contested primary races:
- In the 131st District, Democrats Meriam Sabih and Jay Santos are seeking the nomination, to face incumbent Republican Milou Mackenzie in November. The district includes Lower Saucon,Lower Milford, Upper Milford and Upper Saucon townships, part of Salisbury Township and Coopersburg, along with the Montgomery County communities of Marlborough, Salford and Upper Hanover townships and East Greenville, Green Lane, Pennsburg and Red Hill.
- In the 136st District, representing Hellertown, Easton, Freemansburg, Glendon, West Easton, Wilson, and parts of Lower Saucon, Palmer and Williams townships, incumbent Democratic Rep. Robert Freeman faces a primary challenge from Easton Council member Taiba Sultana. No Republicans have filed.
- In the 183rd District, Rep. Zachary Mako is facing Slatington Council member Zachari Halkias in the Republican primary. Democrat Joseph Lenzi is running unopposed in his primary. The district includes the townships of Lowhill, North Whitehall, Allen, East Allen, Lehigh and parts of Moore, as well as the boroughs of Slatington, Bath, North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport.
And while the presidential nominees are decided, Lehigh Valley voters will be asked to select delegates for the Republican and Democratic national conventions. Democrats in the 7th District have seven candidates for seven delegate spots; Republican voters will have to choose among four candidates for three delegate spots, as well was two alternate candidates for three spots on the ballot.
There also are contested statewide Democratic primaries for Pennsylvania auditor and treasurer. For Pennsylvania attorney general, both Democrats and Republicans will choose their nominees in the primary.
You can view our full list of the candidates who will be on the ballot. Want to know more about the candidates? Check out a longer version of The Morning Call’s voters guide, published in collaboration with the League of Women Voters.
Do I need an ID to vote?
If you’re a first-time voter or visiting a new polling place for the first time, you will be required to show ID. If for some reason you do not have a government-issued photo ID, you can use a non-photo identification that includes your name and address, such as confirmation issued by the county voter registration office; a non-photo government ID; or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check that includes your name and address.
Where do I vote?
Not sure where your polling place is? Visit www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx and type in your address. Or call your county election office: In Northampton, that’s 610-829-6260; in Lehigh, 610-782-3194.
Can I still vote by mail?
Yes, the deadline to request a mail ballot is 5 p.m. April 16.
Where do I drop off my mail ballot?
Completed mail ballots must be received by your county elections office by 8 p.m. April 23.
You must drop off your own mail ballot, unless you’ve filled out a form designating someone else to do it for you, if you’re unable to do it yourself due to a disability.
Pennsylvania’s mail ballots look a bit different this election, thanks to redesigns meant to reduce rejections. The secrecy envelope — in which your ballot must be sealed in order to be accepted — is more clearly designated, and the mailing envelope has highlights to mark the spots for a voter’s signature and date, both of which are required.
Both Lehigh and Northampton counties have multiple locations for ballot drop boxes.
In Lehigh County, drop boxes are located at:
- Whitehall Township Municipal Building, 3219 MacArthur Road. Open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- Lehigh County Authority lobby, 1053 Spruce Road, Allentown. Open until 8:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- Fountain Hill Borough building, 941 Long St. Open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South 7th St., Allentown. Accessible 24/7; closes at 8 p.m. April 23.
- Macungie Borough building, 21 Locust St. Open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
In Northampton County, drop boxes are located at:
- Northampton County Courthouse, 699 Washington St., Easton. Open 8:30 a.m. 8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 13.
- Northampton County Human Services Building, 2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem. Open 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.
- Northampton County 911 Center, 100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth. Open 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- Bethlehem City Hall, 10 E. Church St. Open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; will be accessible 7 a.m.-8 p.m. April 23.
- Washington Township Municipal Building, 1021 Washington Blvd., Bangor. Open 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday.
- East Allen Township Municipal Building,5344 Nor Bath Blvd., Northampton. Open 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- NCC Fowler Family Southside Center, 511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem. Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
I applied for a mail ballot but want to vote in person instead. Can I?
If you haven’t sent in your mail ballot, then yes. Bring your unused ballot — including all envelopes — to your polling place and you will be allowed to vote.
If you don’t have your ballot, you can still vote, but by provisional ballot.
If you mailed your ballot, you cannot also vote in person. You can track the status of your ballot at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/ballottracking.aspx.
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