It's about time: Those who want absentee ballots should apply in person
With a Tuesday deadline for submitting an absentee ballot application, state officials are recommending that any voter who has not yet applied should do so in person at a county election office and cast the vote while there. Friday is the deadline for completed ballots.
With a Tuesday deadline for submitting an absentee ballot application, state officials are recommending that any voter who has not yet applied should do so in person at a county election office and cast the vote while there. Friday is the deadline for completed ballots.
In New Jersey, a voter can apply in person to the county clerk until 3 p.m. Monday. But an "application for vote by mail ballot" must be received by a county clerk by Tuesday. Faxes or emails will be accepted only from military or overseas voters.
Historically, absentee ballots have accounted for a substantial chunk of total votes - roughly 5 percent in Pennsylvania.
As of Monday, Philadelphia had processed 17,121 absentee ballot applications. In 2012 that number was 21,356. There were 23,223 applications in 2008.
In Delaware County, the 2016 total of 19,600 already is greater than 2008 and 2012 totals of about 19,000.
Montgomery County's current total, 27,297, is about the same as the 2008 and 2012 totals.
According to Bucks County Board of Elections Director Deena Dean, the county had counted just under 19,500 absentee ballots as of Friday.
In 2012, about 105,000 voted absentee in Pennsylvania, compared to 270,000 in 2008.
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Staff writers Laura McCrystal and Julia Terruso contributed to this article.