By BILL LEINER JR.

Special to The Press

Lehigh County Voters Registration Office Chief Clerk Timothy Benyo provided answers to a number of questions voters have regarding the Nov. 3 General Election.

Benyo said the Pennsylvania Legislature passed Act 77 in 2019 allowing for “no excuse mail-in voting.”

This means after a voter completes the application process, he or she will receive a ballot in the mail and then vote from their home.

A record voter turnout is expected this Nov. 3. Voters using mail-in ballots can avoid long lines, and ensure their safety from the COVID-19 virus via a mail-in vote.

Benyo said voter fraud is vanishingly thin in Lehigh County.

“I don’t believe ballots properly filed, and properly voted can be fraudulently submitted or counted,” Benyo said.

Voting twice in Pennsylvania is a felony that carries hefty fines and possible incarceration.

Mail-in voting applications are available now at the Voters Registration Office, or atvotespa.com

The completed mail-in ballot application must be received by mail, personal delivery or online at the Voter Registration Office by the Oct. 27 deadline.

The Lehigh County Voters Registration Office is located in the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 S. 7th St., Allentown, or online atvotespa.com

Residents who complete their application for mail-in ballot at votespa.com will receive emails about their application status. If a paper application was sent in, the application can also be tracked at votespa.com.

Benyo said if a voter receives an email indicating a mail-in ballot application was declined, it probably is because a duplicate application was filed by the voter.

Outside groups have sent voters unsolicited applications for mail-in voting that the voter may have completed, thereby confusing some voters who may have applied more than once.

Voters who question the status of their applications, may call the Voters Registration Office at 610-782-3194 for assistance.

After the application request for a mail-in ballot is processed, the actual ballot will be mailed to the voter no later than Oct. 20, according to Benyo. (See related story below.)

Benyo asked that voters who know whom they will vote for, mail their ballot to the Voters Registration Office as soon as possible.

“Sooner rather than later,” Benyo said.

Voters can check the status of their ballot on votespa.com.

To be counted in the election, ballots must be returned to the Lehigh County Voters Registration Office by 8 p.m. Nov. 3.

Mail-in ballots include a postage-paid envelope. Voters do not need to place a stamp on the envelope.

Mail-in ballots do not need to be mailed.

Voters can personally deliver ballots to the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office at the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 S. Seventh St., Allentown.

Yet to be determined, is whether a drop box will be placed outside the entrance of the Government Center specifically to drop off mail-in ballots.

The drop box, if used, will be camera monitored and lighted 24 hours a day for safety.

Voters who drop off ballots at the Voters Registration Office may be asked for their ID, such as a Pennsylvania Drivers License, state ID, or other ID with photo and documentation of their address. Voters need to be prepared to have ID if they choose to go to the Voters Registration Office to submit ballots.

Anyone dropping off another person’s ballot may be required to fill out a “Certification of Designated Agent” form. A copy of the form may be downloaded from votespa.com.

The ballot envelope does not contain any indication of the voter’s party affiliation. All official mail-in ballot envelopes are bar coded signifying the name and address of the voter. And, each voter signs the envelope. This assures no fraudulent ballot can be cast.

If a voter requested a mail-in ballot, but changes his or her mind and wants to vote at the polls, the voter should bring the mail-in ballot with its return envelope to the polls.

The Judge of Election will destroy the unused mail-in ballot and the voter can then vote in person.

Poll workers must wear a mask. Voters are asked to wear a mask out of respect for the poll workers.

If a voter encounters any problems voting, call 610-782-3194 immediately.

Democracy’s cornerstone is the right to vote for all citizens.

An informed citizenry is critical to the successful functioning of our nation.

All citizens are urged to learn and understand the issues of the day, and to exercise their right to vote.

This includes knowing the proper way to vote either in person, or by “mail-in” voting.