2021 PRIMARY NEWS: Ballots Mailed; Downtown Ballot Drop Box Stationed; Polling Place Changes

As Dauphin County voters are receiving mailed ballots for the upcoming primary, a secured ballot box was stationed Monday morning outside the County Administrative Building in downtown Harrisburg.

Dauphin County elections staff recently mailed out nearly 15,000 requested mail-in and absentee ballots – those ballots started arriving at homes over the weekend.

By late Monday morning, a ballot drop box was affixed by the front entrance of the county building at 2 South Second Street.

“Our elections office staff have been gearing up for the primary for some time now, so we can ensure voters they will have convenience and a fair election process,” Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries said.

To give voters options and convenience to return ballots, the elections office at 1251 South 28^th Street will extend hours until 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, beginning April 26 through May 17^th. On May 18^th, voters can return voted ballots up until 8 p.m.

“Our new election office location provides easier access and free parking,” Dauphin County Commissioner Chair Jeff Haste said, “along with dedicated staff who, starting next week, will be in the office even longer.”

To continue serving those in the downtown area, the 24-hour secure drop box is situated in the same location as it had been for last year’s election.

The county’s Northern Dauphin Human Services Center in Elizabethville will serve as a Ballot Return Site from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Trained county staff will be on hand to accept completed ballots. Voters may submit registration and mail-in ballot request forms which will be delivered directly to the elections office. Voters needing to process over-the-counter ballots may do so only at the Dauphin County Registration and Elections office at 1251 S 28^th St, Harrisburg PA 17111.

Voters are reminded that, according to Pennsylvania election law, they may only return their own ballot. You may not return someone else’s voted ballot, even if it is for a spouse or family member.

 “We are focused and intent on meeting the needs of voters and providing them with confidence that their vote will be counted,” Commissioner George P. Hartwick III said.

In related action, the Election Board approved three polling place changes in effect for the primary in the following districts:

- Middletown Borough 1^st Ward, 1^st Precinct: Now located at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, 329 Market St., Miidletown, Pa. 17057.

- Millersburg Borough: Now located at Millersburg Area High School, Susquehannock Room, 799 Center St., Millersville, Pa. 17061.

- Swatara Township 9^th Precinct: Now located at WITF Main Lobby, 4801 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, Pa 17111.

Voters in these districts will be issued new voter ID cards alerting them to the change as well as a postcard reminder.

Additionally, the board of commissioners reminds voters of the following important deadlines:

• The last day to register to vote is May 3.
• The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 11.
• Deadlines for returning ballots is 8 p.m on May 18.

For more information about voting in Dauphin County, go to DauphinCounty.org and click the “2021 Primary Information” tab, or call 717-780-6360.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett Hambright, Press Secretary, 717-780-6311; bhambright@dauphinc.org.