DON’T FORGET TO VOTE What's Up on May 17th? It's Primary Election Day in Radnor!
You can find all the election information you need at one stop - the League of Women Voters' Vote411. What's on the ballot? This is your chance to decide who will be on the November ballot. Candidates chosen on May 17th will vie for U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative for House District 5 as well as Pennsylvania Governor and Lieutenant Governor. This year all voters in Radnor will opt for candidates for the 168th PA representative district currently held by Christopher Quinn. Previously, Radnorth Township was divided between the 165 district now held by PA Representative Jennifer O'Mara and the 166th, the current seat of Representative Greg Vitali. Unlike other Pennsylvanians who live in even-numbered PA Senate Districts or whose incumbents no longer live in the revised PA Districts, Radnor voters will not select candidates for the PA Senate seat currently held by Amanda Cappalletti until 2024. Why are you in a different legislative district? This is a result of the constitutionally mandated redistricting process that occurs every ten years following the Census. It is a timeconsuming, politically charged process with the final PA congressional and legislative map ultimately decided by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Radnor remains in District 5 for the U.S. House of Representatives and in District 17 for the PA State Senate. For details on the redistricting and reapportionment processes, go to www.fairdistrictspa.org, a project of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Will you have a voice on May 17th? That depends. Pennsylvania has a closed primary so you must be registered as either a Republican or a Democrat to vote. Independents and non-affiliated voters have no choice in choosing candidates for November unless they change their party affiliation. Your vote determines only the candidates of your designated party; the winners of the May primary will appear on the November ballot. A change in your party affiliation does not obligate you to vote for a candidate of that party in November. It is easy to change your name, address, or party affiliation by simply changing such information through the registration process. First, you need to meet the May 2nd deadline for voter registration. · To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen, a Pennsylvania resident at your current address for at least 30 days before the election, and be 18 years of age or older by May 17th. If you're not in 6
THE RADNOR NEWS
prison or on parole for a felony, you are also eligible to register to vote. · You need to complete a registration form either on line through VOTE 411 orby mail (forms are availableat the Radnor Memorial Library, Township Building, and State Liquor Stores). All registrations must be received before 4:30 p.m. on May 2ndat the Voter Service Center in the Delaware County Government Center Building, 201 W. Front Street, Media. Second, you need to make sure you are registered. · Once registered, within 14 days you should receive a voter identification card. If not, call the Voter Registration Office at 610.891.4659. · Verify your voter registration status at VOTE411 Third, proof of identification, such as a driver's license, is needed only if · you are a first-time voter. · you are new to your polling place. How will you vote? Once you are registered to vote, you can choose to vote in person or by mail through a no-excuse or absentee ballot. All ballots are secure and on paper so they are easily traced and audited, if necessary. If you wish to vote in person, go to VOTE 411 to find your polling place. Although there will be no changes in your ward or precinct until after the 2022 elections, polling places may change. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. If there is any question about your right to vote, always cast a provisional ballot. The Judge of Elections can usually get answers you may need. However, if you experience or see problems, call Election Protection, 866.OUR.VOTE. If you wish to vote by mail, the deadline for an application to vote by mail is 5:00 p.m. on May 10th, seven days before the election. Some of you may have already received a notification about your “permanent” annual mail in ballots that you must apply for each year. You can apply for one or both elections in May and/or November. Once you receive your mail-in ballot, it must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. It can be mailed postage free or hand-delivered by only the voter to the drop box at the Radnor Township Building, the Media Voter Service Center, or any drop box in Delaware County. To be
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS · TO ADVERTISE CALL 610-265-6277
counted, mail-in ballots must be enclosed in a secrecy envelope that must be signed and dated by the voter. Remember, No Naked Ballots! If you wish to vote early and in person, you can go to the Media Voter Service Center prior to May 10th. Bring identification so you can apply, receive the mail-in ballot, complete the mail-in ballot, and drop it in the box. This is also an option if you have not received your requested mail-in ballot. Each ballot has a barcode that can be voided to ensure that each voter may only vote once. If you change your mind and have a paper ballot but wish to vote in person, you must bring the entire mail-in ballot with its secrecy envelope to the polling place. Workers at the polls will follow procedures to make sure each eligible person has only one vote! Who are the candidates? Although sample ballots may not be available until late April, there are more than twenty candidates running for U.S. Senate and more than ten for Pennsylvania's Governor. Regardless of party affiliation, almost every seat is contested. You will have some tough choices to make. To be an informed voter, go to VOTE411 for non-partisan information about each candidate. There you can see background information and candidate responses to questions raised by the League of Women Voters. You can compare qualifications and views of those running for each position. Additionally, you will be able to review a sample ballot and create your own to bring to the polls. How can you get involved? Become a poll worker in Delaware County. To qualify for pay you need to complete in-person training, pass the poll worker test, and serve successfully on Election Day in a precinct or as a County-approved standby ready to be assigned. Election officers can be elected to four-year terms or be appointed by the County Board of Elections. To be considered, certain requirements must be met and a short application must be completed. Students aged 17 or older can apply to be a part of the Student Poll Worker Program. For details, go to https://delcopa.gov/vote/becomingapoll worker.html The League of Women Voters of Radnor Township does not support or oppose any political party, candidate for elective office, office holder, or any group that supports candidates. All officers subscribe to the League's non-partisan policy. Its purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and to act on selected governmental issues. Membership is open to all, including students, who desire to help make democracy work. For further information go to www.lwvradnor.org.
