Election 2023: Primary Voting Guide For Chester County

WEST CHESTER, PA — The primary election is here, and West Chester area residents will be able to cast their votes for judges, county commissioners, and local township, borough, and school board races.

The last day to register to vote is May 1 and the last to apply for mail-in ballots is May 9. The primary is Tuesday, May 16. The Patch will be posting the unofficial returns at 8 p.m. when the polls close.

Videos on election procedures in the Chester County area are available here.

• You can check the status of your mail-in or absentee ballot here.
• If you are in line at 8 p.m., you are allowed to vote.

Who is on the ballot?

The candidates for the Democratic primary are available here.
The candidates for the Republican primary are available here.

There are 12 candidates running for five positions on the Chester County bench.

• Dave Black, Thornbury Township;
• Andy Rongaus, West Goshen Township;
• Deb Ryan, Birmingham Township;
• PJ Redmond, West Goshen Township;
• Don Kohler, New Garden Township;
• Nicole Forzato, Easttown Township;
• Fredda D. Maddox, East Goshen Township;
• Kristine C. Howard, East Whiteland Township;
• Thomas McCabe, Newlin Township;
• Lou Mincarelli, East Brandywine Township;
• Sarah B. Black, West Chester Borough;
• Paige Simmons, West Pikeland Township.

When To Vote

Polls will be open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where To Vote

If you're planning on voting in person and are not sure where to go to vote, you can find your polling places here.

Drop-Box locations

Chester County has several drop boxes available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Sign and date and declaration on the outer envelope or your vote will not count. These drop boxes are open on Tuesday, May 16:

• Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester.
• Avon Grove Library, 117 Rosehill Ave.
• Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Coatesville
• Coatesville Area Library, 501 E. Lincoln Highway
• Downingtown Library, 122 Wallace Ave.
• Easttown Library, 720 First Ave, Berwyn.
• Henrietta Hankin Branch, 215 Windgate Drive, Chester Springs
• Honey Brook Community Library, 687 Compass Road, Honey Brook
• Kennett Library, 216 State St., Kennett Square
• Oxford Library Co., 48 S. St., Oxford.
• Parkesburg Free Library, Parkesburg.
• Phoenixville Public Library, 183 Second Ave.
• Spring City Free Library, 245 Broad St., Spring City.

Voter rights

If you are heading in person to a polling place, it's important to know your rights, and what is and is not legal in your encounters with poll workers.

You are not required to show identification, according to Pennsylvania law, unless you have never voted at that precinct in the past.

Only voters who have never voted at that precinct before are required to show identification, according to Pennsylvania law.

That identification does not have to be photo identification, but it must contain your name and address.

For those who may have limited English language proficiency, the law stipulates that you may bring another individual with you into the voting booth to help out casting your vote.