Tuesday is the deadline to apply for mail-in ballot for primary

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The 2023 primary is Tuesday.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke

For voters who cannot make it to the polls next week, or who prefer to vote at home, the deadline to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot for the municipal primary is Tuesday.

Registered voters can request a ballot online at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov or by going to room 140 at City Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to apply for one in-person. Election officials must receive mail-in ballot applications by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Philadelphians belonging to the Democratic and Republican parties will be choosing nominees for mayor, City Council, city commissioner, register of wills, sheriff, city controller, and judges for the state Supreme Court, Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court.

Mail ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day, and a voter must only submit their own envelope, unless someone who cannot physically return their ballot fills out a form designating a delivery agent.

Ballot drop boxes, which are open 24/7, are located at City Hall (on South Broad side), Corp. Jimmy O’Connor Memorial Playground (formerly Chalfont), Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center, Eastern State Penitentiary, Ford PAL Rec Center, Independence Branch Library, Kendrick Rec Center, Kingsessing Rec Center, Markward Playground, Pelbano Rec Center, Pleasant Playground, Shepard Rec Center, Shissler, Smith Playground, Stenton Playground, Vogt Rec Center, Riverview Place (520 N. Columbus Boulevard) and the election warehouse at 11311 Roosevelt Boulevard.

The City Commissioners Office is also hosting a series of staffed mobile drop-offs, with the next events scheduled for Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Water Tower Recreation Center and the playground at 29th Street and Chalmers Avenue. For a full list of events, go to www.vote.phila.gov.

Those planning to vote in-person on May 16 can find their polling place by searching their address at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov.