Today marks the final opportunity for residents to register to vote if they intend to participate in the primary election on May 19. This registration deadline is the immediate priority for any eligible citizen not yet on the voter rolls, as the window to qualify for participation in this election cycle closes at the end of the business day. Once registered, voters must then navigate a separate set of procedures and timelines if they choose to utilize mail-in or absentee voting rather than appearing at a polling place in person.
For those already registered, the process for mail-in voting operates on a later schedule. The deadline to officially request a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is May 12, one week after the registration cutoff. Following the request period, voters have until 8 p.m. on Election Day, May 19, to ensure their completed ballots are received by election officials. To facilitate this, Lackawanna County has established six secure drop boxes in Carbondale, Clarks Summit, Dickson City, Moosic, Roaring Brook Township, and Scranton. These locations are distinct from traditional polling sites and are maintained under constant video surveillance to ensure the security of the ballots dropped off before the polls close.
Luzerne County is also maintaining a separate infrastructure for mail-in ballot collection. Voters there can utilize a drop box at the Hazleton Broad Street Exchange Building during designated weekday hours until May 18. Additionally, a box at the Penn Place Building in Wilkes-Barre will remain accessible to the public until the final 8 p.m. deadline on May 19.
