Rundown for today at polls in Chester County

After a dramatic campaign season and despite the threat of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, voters across Chester County will be heading to the polls today.

Voters will choose a candidate for president, several state row offices, representatives in Congress and an unusually large number of competitive state legislative races.

But this year’s election will be different than those in the past.

For the first time the state has allowed Pennsylvania voters to submit their ballots by mail without an excuse. The introduction of widespread voting by mail has proved to be a popular choice with nearly 83,000 Berks voters applying for a ballot.

For those who have chosen to vote in person, county election officials have prepared to welcome them to the polls and have put a number of safety precautions in place.

If you’re heading to the polls

Who can vote: All registered voters.

Where to vote: Each voter is assigned to a specific polling place. Some of the polling places have changed temporarily for the 2020 election due to the coronavirus pandemic. Voters unsure of where to go can look up their polling place by visiting the county election services website or by checking out this map MediaNews Group compiled.

When to vote: Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a. m. to 8 p. m. Anyone in line by 8 p. m. will be allowed to vote.

What safety precautions are being taken: Voters are encouraged to wear a mask when entering the polling location and follow social distancing recommendations. Cotton swabs will be provided for voters to select candidates using the voting machine touchscreens. To limit contact with commonly used items, it is suggested voters bring their own pens to sign the poll book. The county is mandating that all workers wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be available at all polling locations.

Can I bring my mailed ballot to the polls: Mailed ballots will not be accepted at any polling location.

Chester County mail- in ballot drop- off boxes have been placed outdoors at libraries in Chester County, and at Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Rd, West Chester.

The deadline to drop off mail- in ballots is no later than 8 p. m. on Election Day,

Tuesday, Nov. 3.

But you still have an opportunity to vote if you misplaced your mailed ballot, have not received your ballot or have instead decided to cast your ballot at the polls.

Go to your assigned polling place. If you have the mailed ballot, you will need to surrender the ballot and its envelopes to the judge of elections to be voided in order to vote on the voting machines. If you misplaced the mailed ballot or have not received the ballot, you will need to tell the judge of elections and they will give you a provisional ballot to fill out.

What voters can bring: Voters cannot bring campaign signs or distribute materials within 10 feet of a polling place entrance. They may wear political apparel as long as they don’t draw attention to it. Voters legally allowed to carry firearms may do so unless the polling place is in a location where guns are prohibited, such as a school.

Reporting voter intimidation: It’s illegal to harass, threaten, discriminate against or get aggressive with voters inside or outside polling places. Such behavior should be reported to poll workers at that location. Issues can also be reported to the county elections office at 610478- 6490 or the district attorney’s office at 610- 4786000.

If you’re waiting for results

The Chester County commissioners are optimistic election workers will be able to report most of the results late on election night.

The tally of the mailed ballots will be posted on the election services website starting when the polls close along with the results from those who voted in person. She reminded residents that the results — like those reported on previous election nights — will be incomplete and unofficial.

There is also an issue that could complicate the reporting of results statewide.

The U. S. Supreme Court issued an order last week stating that election officials must count mailed ballots that arrive by 5 p. m. on the Friday after the election, unless there is evidence that the ballot was mailed after Election Day.

But because the justices did not close the door on revisiting the issue after Election Day, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar has instructed county election officials to keep those ballots segregated in the event of legal challenges.

Further adding to a possible delay in election results, some counties have said they are not going to start counting mailed ballots until Wednesday.