VOTING INFORMATION

th Can You Vote in the May 16 Municipal Primary?

Stop complaining about taxes, pot holes, class size, trash pick-up or stormwater. Let your vote be your voice! Candidates chosen in the primary will be on the ballot in November. If elected, they will decide these issues and more. However, not all eligible and/or registered voters can opt for the candidate of their choice.

It all depends . . .

Are you registered?

st You have until May Day (May 1 ) to do so. You must be 18 years old on or before Election Day, a U.S citizen, and a resident of Pennsylvania for 30 days at your current address. Go to Vote 411 for details to do it by mail, on line, or in person. Application forms and directions are provided in several languages.

Are you registered as a Republican or Democrat?

Pennsylvania has closed primaries. If you are not registered for either party, you have no choice in the candidates who will be on the ballot in November. You can easily change your party by re-registering. (You can do this multiple times!) Go to Vote 411 for details. On this year's ballot, there are no constitutional amendments for which every registered voter can opt yes, or no regardless of party affiliation.

Are you unsure about your registration?

Don't worry; you can verify your voting status by going to Vote 411.

How will you cast your ballot in the Municipal Primary?

It all depends . . .

Do you wish to vote in person?

If so, you can go to your polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. If you are a first-time voter at this location,you will need voter identification such as your driver's license. To find out what types of identification are acceptable for first-time voters and the location of your polling places, use Vote 411.

Do you wish to vote by mail? th

If so, you need to apply by May 9 for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot. You must apply each year unless you have a permanent absentee ballot. (Such ballots are issued to those who are unable to vote in person and require a doctor's confirmation.) Details regarding No-Excuse Mail-In Ballots and Absentee Ballots as well as links to application forms can be found at Vote 411.

If you use a mail-in ballot, carefully follow all instructions. Make sure mark your ballot carefully, enclose it in the secrecy envelope, put the secrecy envelope in the mailing envelope, seal the envelope, sign it, and date it. Give yourself at least two weeks if you mail it via U.S. Mail. You can also use a drop box located at the Radnor Township Municipal Building (301 Iven Ave.) or at the Government Center in Media. Mail-in and civilian absentee ballots must also be received by the County Board th of Elections by 8 p.m. on May 16 https://www.delcopa.gov/vote/index.html or call them at (610) 891-VOTE. Believe it or not, they even have ways to accommodate those who may be unexpectedly hospitalized!

Do you have an emergency situation or a special issue?

The County Board of Elections can help. Go to Delco Votes!

What Candidates are on the Municipal Ballot?

It all depends . . .

In what ward do you live?

Although there are proposed changes in ward lines and polling places in Radnor, they will not go into effect until after the 2023 election.

You can find your ward and polling place by going to the Township website or to Vote 411. Each ward has acommissioner who is elected for a four-year term. This year, candidates will be chosen for Wards 1, 3, 4, th 5, and 7. (The 4 ward commissioner is being elected to fill a current vacancy for a two-year term.)

All offices on the ballot and a sample of their respective responsibilities are listed below:

Radnor Township Level School Board (5 of 9 positions for 4-year term) Adopts district policies, hires superintendent, authorizes building projects, adopts textbooks, and sets budget and tax rate. Candidates may cross file or appear on primary ballots for both parties.

Commissioners (4 from odd-numbered th wards for 4-year term; 1 in the 4 ward for 2-years) Adopts budget, sets fees and taxes, appoints officials, creates and modifies regulations and ordinances, implements and oversees services.

Delaware County Level County Council (3 of 5 for a 4-year term) Adopts budget, raises funds, involved in transportation, prisons, economic development and new health department

District Attorney

(1 position for a 4-year term) Assesses legal merits of cases, prosecutes alleged perpetrators, represents PA in criminal cases in the county.

Pennsylvania State Level

Justice of the PA Supreme Court

(1 vacancy for 10-year term) Hears appeals from lower courts, can assume jurisdiction over any case brought in a Pennsylvania court.

Justice of the Superior Court

(2 to be retainedfor an additional 10-year term) Hears appeals in criminal and civil cases, including those involving children and families; serves as final arbiter of most disputes.

Justice of PA Commonwealth Court (1 vacancy, 10-year term) Hears matters involving state and local governments as well as regulatory agencies; responsible for appeals by agencies and Courts of Common Pleas.

How Can You Find Out About the Candidates?

To become an informed voter, go to Vote 411. The League of Women Voters (LWV) asks each candidate for basic background information and responses to common questions. Using non-partisan information, voters can then compare candidates before casting their ballots.

How Can You Help?

If you wish to be a paid poll worker on Election Day, find out more information at https://www.delcopa.gov/vote/pollworker resources.html. The Delaware County Election website also has links for you to register for necessary training both in person and on-line.

For over a century, the League of Women Voters has been helping to make democracy work. For information about the Radnor League, go to www.radnorleague.org

If you don't have access to a computer, voter resources can be obtained at the reference desk of the Radnor Memorial Library located at 114 W. Wayne Avenue. For over a century, the League of Women Voters has been helping to make democracy work. This non-partisan organization 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. Membership is open to all. For information about the Radnor Leagur, go to www.radnorleague.org.

Community Connections

Roberta Winters is a retired elementary school teacher and an active member of the League of Women Voters of Radnor Township. Winters' parents inspired her to become a teacher

“Our parents are our first teachers and, probably, our most important teachers,” Winters said. “[My parents] instilled in me many of the same qualities that good teachers have,” including being patient, encouraging, and supportive.

Winters' journey to becoming a teacher had a difficult start. When Winters began her career, she applied to be the chair of the science department at a high school in Massachusetts. Winters was qualified for the position, but she did not receive it because the school board “didn't think a woman could be the high school science [chair].” However, this decision led her to teach elementary school students in Massachusetts and, eventually, in Radnor Becoming a teacher in Radnor Township brought Winters the proudest moment of her career. Years after teaching second grade at Rosemont Elementary School, a mother told Winters that she was her daughter's favorite teacher

“When there was nobody there to play third base, you did it,” the mother said. “It's those little things that you don't ever realize that make a difference for a child,” Winters said.

With moments like this in mind, Winters proudly taught in Radnor for over thirty years and served as President of the Radnor Township Education Association.

She also proudly serves the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Radnor Township. Winters first became involved with the League serving as the liaison for local educational issues in Radnor. She quickly joined the Board of the Pennsylvania League.

Eventually, Winters became President of the Radnor LWV. During her three terms, she engaged the Radnor League in many important community issues, including gerrymandering and registering eligible students to vote. Winters also sponsored public forums on topics covering environmental and educational issues. Through serving the League of Women Voters and Radnor Township, Winters has learned the importance of getting her community more involved in the decisions that directly affect them.

“All politics [are] local,” she said. “When you look at things like transparency, accountability, [and the] right to know, that's here… The closer you are to where the people are is where you can actually make a difference.”

After all she has done to help Radnor and the League of Women Voters, Winters is still a presence at local government meetings.

She also works with the League's interns and student members and continues to host interviews at Main Line TV Network to inform her community on local issues and how to get involved. In December, Roberta was awarded the Civic Participation Award by the LWV. Winters could not accomplish her goals without her family.

“I'm very lucky I have a supportive family,” she said. “People who work hard need help.”

Winters encourages girls and women interested in education and politics to get involved with the League of Women Voters.

“That's where you can learn,” she said. “But be prepared. It's hard work.”

Winters believes the hard work is worth it.