Pennsylvania reaches 81 percent  of returned mail-in ballots, top election official says

Approximately 81 percent  of Pennsylvania’s mail-in and absentee ballots have been returned to the counties, according to Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar.

“Anyone who has not returned a mail-in ballot should do so now,” Boockvar said. “You should hand deliver it. Do not put it in the mail.” 

Pennsylvania voters have until 8 p.m. to return mail-in ballots to their county election office, satellite election office, or official designated drop box.

“The clock is ticking,” Bockvar said.

Here is the statistical breakdown of Pennsylvania’s mail-in ballot situation courtesy the Department of State:

Total number and percentage of Pennsylvania ballots in the process of being mailed 

• Number of approved applications = 3,098,947
• Number of ballots confirmed for mailing = 3,082,832
• Number of returned ballots = 2,506,555

Total number of Pennsylvania mail-in/absentee ballots returned by party affiliation

• 1,641,826 ballots returned by registered Democrats
• 586,336 ballots returned by registered Republicans
• 278,393 ballots returned by other voters
• 2,506,555 total ballots returned

According to Boockvar, the more than 2.5 million returned ballots is nearly 10 times as many mail-in and absentee ballots returned in 2016. However, she also reminded voters to be wary of naked ballots.

“If a voter learns today through various notifications, whether email or otherwise, that they returned a naked ballot or perhaps forgot to sign their voter declaration, they can still go to the polls today and vote by provisional ballot,” Boockvar said.

Although the polls close at 8 p.m. tonight, Boockvar said voters who are in line as of the deadline have the right to vote.