Here’s your complete guide to voting by mail in Centre County, plus drop box locations

The voting window has opened in Centre County for the November election.

Mail ballots have already been sent to county voters who requested them.

Ballots for the general election feature races for Pennsylvania governor, U.S. Senate and state House. They can be returned by mail, in person at the Willowbank Building or — in a few days — at one of the secure ballot drop boxes around the county.

As of Oct. 12, Centre County has mailed about 14,000 ballots, an increase from the May primary and the November 2021 municipal election.

State law mandates voters return only their own ballot. An exception is made for voters who are disabled and have named someone in writing to help them with that task.

Once the ballot is filled out, it must be placed in the smaller secrecy envelope and the sealed envelope must be inserted into the larger return envelope — which is then itself sealed. The declaration on the return envelope must be signed and dated.

Vote by mail in Centre County

Voters can apply for a mail-in ballot online, by mail or fill out an online form to have a paper application mailed to them. They can also visit the county elections office before 5 p.m. Nov. 1.

Voters can also track their ballot online.

Ballots must be received by the county elections office by 8 p.m. Nov. 8 to be counted. Postage is required.

Return your ballot in person

Ballots can be brought to the elections office at the Willowbank Building, 420 Holmes St. in Bellefonte, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

On Election Day, ballots will be accepted until 8 p.m.

Use a Centre County drop box

Secure ballot drop boxes will be available 24/7 starting Oct. 25 and remain available until 9 a.m. Nov. 7. No postage is required.

The drop boxes, which will be monitored by security cameras, will be located outside at the following locations:

• Willowbank Building, Bellefonte
• District judge office, 2795 Earlystown Road, Centre Hall
• Ferguson Township Municipal Building, 3147 Research Drive, State College
• Patton Township Municipal Building, 100 Patton Plaza, State College
• District judge office, 118 Enterprise Drive, Philipsburg
• Spring Township Municipal Building, 1309 Blanchard St., Bellefonte
• State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen St., State College
• HUB-Robeson Center, Pollock Road, University Park

Early in-person voting

Registered Centre County voters can apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot in-person at the elections office in Bellefonte.

Voters can return to their vehicle, fill their ballot out right away and then submit it to an elections worker or place it in the drop box. Ballots can also be returned via mail.

Voters can stop by between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays starting Oct. 18 and running through Nov. 1.

Important election dates

Oct. 24: Registration deadline for November election

Oct. 25: Drop boxes open in Centre County

Nov. 1: Last day to apply for mail-in/civilian absentee ballot

Nov. 7: Drop boxes close at 9 a.m.

Nov. 8: Election Day. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for those preferring that method. Mail-in/civilian absentee ballots must be received at the elections office by 8 p.m., whether in person or via postal service.

This story was originally published October 14, 2022 at 6:00 AM.