Delaware County election staff reported that preparations for the Nov. 4 municipal election are under way: logic-and-accuracy (L&A) testing is ongoing at the warehouse, the first batch of mail and absentee ballots was mailed Oct. 4, and the county has extended voter-service hours at the government center in Media.

Chief Election Director James Allen said L&A testing has been completed on more than half of the precincts; the process starts machines, confirms software and runs test ballots to verify accuracy before equipment ships to precincts. "Logic and accuracy testing is where we're actually starting up the equipment, making sure the right software is on it, checking the tape, and then running ballots through it to try to test its accuracy," Allen told the board.

The county reported absentee and mail ballots began reaching voters Oct. 4. Allen urged voters who plan to use absentee or mail ballots to apply early because realistic turnaround time matters. "The week of October 13 really is, like, the last time even though the state deadline is later," Allen said, adding that a late application could leave insufficient time to receive and return a ballot so it arrives by election day.

County staff said the voter service center at the Delaware County Government Center in Media is open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended Wednesday hours to 7 p.m. and Saturday hours 9 a.m. to noon. Voters may apply in person for an absentee ballot at the center and, if appropriate, receive a replacement ballot on the spot.

Allen said the first batch of absentee ballots was delivered ahead of schedule thanks to county staff and vendor Phoenix Graphics. He also said 29 community drop boxes will open Monday, Oct. 20; a permanent drop box remains at the government center in Media.

Crystal Winterbottom, who reported for the voter-registration team, said the county has slightly more than 408,000 registered voters and processed a little over 37,000 registration applications since the primary. She reminded voters the deadline to register or to update name or address is Oct. 20 and recommended online or early in-person updates to avoid last-minute issues.

Ending: County officials said they will continue L&A testing, monitor absentee and mail returns, and encourage voters to apply early for mail-in or absentee ballots to ensure on-time receipt and counting.