New locations set for mail-in ballots

WEST CHESTER » Recognizing the need for more geographically accessible locations for those voters who requested mail-in ballots for the Tuesday primary, the Chester County Board of Elections on Sunday approved the addition of five secure drop-off spots.

These additional sites have been created to accommodate voters who are concerned that their mail-in ballot may be returned too late by the postal service to be counted, but who found it inconvenient to drive to the single location at the county’s Government Services Center in West Goshen previously approved.

According to state rules, the ballots must be received by the time the polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Those who do not have the opportunity to vote by mail can still appear at their polling place Tuesday and cast a provisional ballot.

The five new drop-off locations feature a locked, tamper-proof drop box which is guarded and will not be left unattended at any time, according to a press release issued after the board’s vote.

From today through Tuesday, the following locations will accept mail-in and absentee ballots:

• Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Goshen. In the lobby. Open all hours until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

• Chester County Public Safety Training Campus, 137 Modena, at the antivirus test site greeter station. Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Longwood Gardens South Parking Lot, 1010 E. Baltimore Pike, East Marlborough, at the antivirus test site greeter station. Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Kimberton Fair Grounds, 762 Pike Springs Road, West Pikeland, in the parking lot. Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Warwick County Park, 191 County Park Road, Warwick, in the park office. Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Battle of the Clouds Park, 125 N. Phoenixville Pike, East Whiteland,d in the parking lot. Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Under state election law, voters are only permitted to place their own ballots in the secure drop boxes, and cannot drop off ballots for relatives, friends or others.

Chester County received just under 92,000 mail-in and absentee ballot application requests by the application deadline May 26 and has so far received nearly 65,000 returned ballots by mail.

Those who plan to vote Tuesday in person should check the Office of Voter Services website at chesco. org to determine whether their normal precinct polling place has been moved to a different location because of coronavirus issues.