Dauphin County Commissioners ask for patience during Tuesday election; caution mail-in ballot verification may delay results

HARRISBURG, PA (June 1, 2020) – With a new voting system and additional safety measures in place, the Dauphin County Commissioners are asking voters to be patient during the Tuesday, June 2 primary election.

Additionally, 40,254 mail-in and absentee ballots have been requested and more than 26,000 have been received in Dauphin County. The need to verify the votes against precinct poll books and scan the ballots could make it several days or longer before unofficial results are known.

“This is the first time we’re using our new voting system, and we ask for everyone’s patience at the polls,’’ said Commissioner Mike Pries, who chairs the county’s Elections Board. “We also expect slight delays as our poll workers follow the CDC guidelines for cleaning surfaces and the voting equipment.’’

For everyone’s safety, the county commissioners secured personal protective equipment kits available for all election day workers, including disinfectant antibacterial wipes, sanitary protective gloves, surgical masks, face shields, hand sanitizer and microfiber cloths. Hand sanitizer, isopropyl alcohol screen wipes and sanitary headset covers will be available for voters.

Although pens are available and regularly disinfected, as recommended by the CDC, voters are encouraged to bring their own ballpoint pens with black or blue ink if they are concerned about safety.

Voters are also encouraged to wear masks and social distance at the polls.

“All of us have a role to play in keeping each other safe on Tuesday,’’ said board Chairman Jeff Haste. “We have a dedicated team of poll workers who are working hard, and under unique circumstances, on behalf of our community.”

Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III said voters who requested mail-in or absentee ballots have until 8 p.m. on June 2 to get them to the county’s elections office, where there is a secure collection box.

“We want to make sure everyone’s vote counts,’’ Hartwick said.

The following are some frequently asked questions:

Q: When are the polls open?
A: The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. will have an opportunity to vote.

Q: What happens if I voted by mail or absentee and want to vote in-person to change my ballot?
A: Once you return your mail-in or absentee ballot to the Elections Bureau, the law stipulates that you cannot vote in person.


Q: What happens if I requested a mail-in ballot and didn’t send it back?
A: Voters should hand-deliver their mail-in ballots to Dauphin County’s elections office at 2 South 2nd St. in Harrisburg, where there is a secure drop box, by 8 p.m. on June 2. Mail-in ballots may not be dropped off at polling locations.


Q: How can I learn more about Dauphin County’s new voting system?
A: Please go to www.DauphinCounty.org/votes where you will find both printed instructions and videos showing how to use the Clear Ballot system.


Q: What accommodations are available for voters with disabilities?
A: Voters with disabilities can use the Clear Access System and cast their ballot using an electronic marking device or verbally using a headset, which will have sanitary headset covers. Additionally, voters can have an assistant of their choosing help them. Printed ballots still must be fed into scanner.


Q: Do you expect delays at the polls?
A: Because voters will be using the system for the first time, and the additional time it takes to sanitize surfaces, there may be a longer wait than usual. Additionally, there is an extra step involved with the new system – once voters fill out their ballot, they insert the ballot into a scanner. With our previous machines, voters could simply press their selection on the screen and then hit a green “vote” button.

After Gov. Tom Wolf ordered counties to get new systems, the Commissioners selected the Clear Ballot system because it is easy to use and has ballot scanners. Our poll workers will do all they can to keep delays at a minimum.


Q: How soon will we know the results? Where can we find the results of the election?
A: Election results from votes cast in-person at precincts should be available within hours after the polls close. Each ballot scanner tallies the votes and stores them on chips and produces a paper printout and similar to county’s electronic machines.

However, because of the high number of mail-in ballots expected, the final count may not be available until several days or more following the election. All mail-in and absentee ballots are cross-checked against precinct poll books.

As part of the Clear Ballot contract, the county purchased large high-speed scanners to process the mail-in ballots.

Election results can be found at www.DauphinCounty.org and by clicking on the icon on the homepage. On election day, only results from in-person voting will be available. Mail-in and absentee ballots will be checked against the poll books and scanned, starting June 3, and could take several days or more.


Q: I understand some polling places have changed. Which polls are in new locations?
A: All voters affected by the temporary polling place changes should have received mailed notification. Additionally, signage will be posted at the former polling places and the new, temporary locations on election day.

These changes are in response to poll worker vacancies. Nearly 300, or 30 percent of the county’s poll workers who volunteered in prior elections, have declined to serve this election, citing COVID-19 as the reason. Many of the county’s poll workers are over the age of 60 or care for elderly parents or family members with health conditions.

To check your polling place, visit www.pavoterservices.pa.gov and go to “Find Your Polling Place” under “Voter Services.’’

The following is a list of the temporary changes for Tuesday’s primary election:

Derry Township’s 1st Precinct

Former

Grace United Methodist Church
433 E. Main Street
Hummelstown, PA 17036

Temporary

Hershey Primary Elementary
450 Homestead Road
Hershey, PA 17033

Derry Township’s 3rd Precinct

Former

First Church of Hershey
64 W. Chocolate Avenue
Hershey, PA 17033

Temporary

Hershey Primary Elementary
450 Homestead Road
Hershey, PA 17033

Derry Township’s 12th Precinct
Former

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
850 Hill Church Road
Hummelstown, PA 17036

Temporary
Hershey Primary Elementary
450 Homestead Road
Hershey, PA 17033

Lower Paxton Township’s 14th Precinct
Former

St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
4200 Londonderry Road
Harrisburg, PA 17109

Temporary

Central Dauphin Middle School
4600 Locust Lane
Harrisburg, PA 17109

Royalton Borough’s 2nd Ward
Former

New Royalton Borough Building
101 Northumberland Street
Middletown, PA 17057

Temporary

Royalton Park Offices, District Court
50 Canal Street
Middletown, PA 17057
Harrisburg City’s 1st Ward/1st Precinct

Former

UPMC Pinnacle Health/Life Team Facility
1000 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104

Temporary

Foose School Building
1301 Sycamore Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104

Harrisburg City’s 14th Ward

Former

Chisuk Emuna Synagogue
3219 Green Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Temporary

Camp Curtain Academy
2900 North Sixth Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Middletown Borough’s 2nd Ward/1st Precinct

Former

Middletown Presbyterian Church
290 North Union Street
Middletown, PA 17057

Temporary

Lyall J. Fink School Building
150 North Race Street
Middletown, PA 17057

Middletown Borough’s 3rd Ward/1st Precinct

Former

Frey Village
1020 North Union Street
Middletown, PA 17057

Temporary

Middletown Area High School
1155 North Union Street
Middletown, PA 17057

Lower Paxton Township’s 19th Precinct

Former

The Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg
1000 Linglestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112

Temporary

Linglestown Middle School
1200 North Mountain Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112

Susquehanna Township’s 2nd Ward

Former

Pheasant Hills Estates Community Center
4400 Pheasant Hill Rd.
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Temporary

Thomas Holtzman Elementary School
1900 Linglestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17110

For questions about voting on election day and finding your polling place, visit www.DauphinCounty.org/votes or call 717-780-6360.