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Are you one of 577 Philadelphia mail voters whose ballot is at risk of not being counted?
If you think you might be, check the list posted below for your name, and read on for instructions on how to fix the problems and make your vote count in the May 19 primary election.
Ballot flaws: Wrong addresses and ballot prep mistakes
As mail ballots have gone out and voters have been returning them, the Office of City Commissioners has been putting out an updated list of ballots that have errors or are undeliverable.
Common flaws include:
- No signature on the exterior envelope
- No date on the exterior envelope
- Incorrect date on the envelope
- No secrecy envelope (aka a “naked ballot”)
- Unverifiable identification
Elections officials haven’t yet started counting the votes in the mail ballots — they’re not allowed to do that until the polls open at 7 a.m. on May 19, per Pennsylvania law.
But Philadelphia has machines that sort the sealed ballots in advance and can tell if a secrecy envelope is missing just by the weight of the whole mail ballot package. Administrative staff can tell by looking at the outer envelope if the date or signature isn’t there.
See the searchable list, at the bottom of this article, to check if you need to fix your ballot.
How to fix a flawed mail ballot
Some of the Philadelphia voters on the list are marked as having unverifiable identification. They should fill out an ID verification form and submit it along with a picture or photocopy of an acceptable ID, if available, to phillyelection@phila.gov or via fax to (215) 686-3398. They can also call (215) 686-3469, or visit one of the satellite election offices for in-person help.
The ID verification forms are due by Tuesday, May 26.
The other voters on the list made errors when completing their ballots, or their ballots were never delivered to them because the addresses were wrong, or there was a problem at the post office. They can get a replacement ballot at the County Board of Elections office in City Hall Room 140 or a satellite office.
Replacement ballots can be filled out and submitted on the spot, or deposited in one of the city’s many secure drop boxes (here’s a map).
Ballots can also be mailed in. They must be received at the Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Primary Election Day, May 19, and postmarks don’t count. Mail ballots may not be turned in at polling places.
If you or someone you know is on the list but can’t get to an election office in time due to a disability, they can authorize a designated agent to pick up and/or return their completed ballot. A designated agent form is available at the City Commissioners’ website.
If you’re on the list but aren’t able to get a replacement using the instructions above, you can request a provisional ballot at your polling place on Election Day. Provisional ballots are the last to be counted.
Below is a searchable list of ballots with errors as of April 29. For the latest, updated version of the list, visit the City Commissioners’ website. The site also includes sample ballots and other info about the primary election.
The emergency ballot option
The deadline to register to vote in the primary has passed, as has the deadline to apply for a mail ballot.
If you are registered but cannot make it to the polls in person, you may be able to submit an emergency absentee ballot application, which requires a valid reason such as an unexpected trip or illness.
Voters who are over the age of 65 or living with a permanent disability may also obtain an emergency ballot if their polling place is not fully handicapped accessible.
The applications must be received by the Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Primary Election Day. They can be submitted at the board office in City Hall or a satellite elections office.
If you need to catch up on the races and questions on the ballot, visit our handy Procrastinator’s Guide.
