Chester County Opens Ballot Drop Boxes as Pennsylvania Voter Registration Deadline Nears

CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. — Chester County’s mail-in ballot drop boxes open Monday and will remain available through Election Day, as Pennsylvania voters approach key deadlines for the Nov. 3 general election.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 19, one week away. The deadline to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot is Oct. 27, and completed mail ballots must be received by county election offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Pennsylvanians can register or check their registration status at vote.pa.gov/Register. Voters who are already registered do not need to register again unless they have moved or need to update their name or party affiliation.

Any registered voter may vote by mail. Applications for mail-in or absentee ballots can be submitted online at vote.pa.gov/ApplyMailBallot and must be received by 5 p.m. on Oct. 27. Voters can also apply for, complete and return a mail ballot in a single visit to their county election office through Oct. 27.

Completed ballots must be placed in the secrecy envelope, then in the outer return envelope, which the voter must sign and date. A postmark does not count. The ballot must reach the county office by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters running short on time can return ballots in person to the county election office or a drop box.

In Chester County, drop boxes open Monday, Oct. 12, at locations listed by Chester County Voter Services. Voters with questions can visit the county’s voter services page or pa.gov/vote.

Voters heading to the polls can find their polling place at vote.pa.gov/Polls. Those voting for the first time at a new polling location should bring an accepted form of identification.

On Nov. 3, Pennsylvania voters will decide the governor’s race, all 17 U.S. House seats and state legislative contests.