More than one-third (33.6 percent) of general election mail-in ballots in Cumberland County had been returned, as of 3 p.m. on Friday, October 23, with 10 days left to vote.

“This election will be one for the record books,” says Cumberland County Clerk Celeste Riley.

No results will be reported until polls close on November 3. Mail ballots will be counted first, followed by votes at polling places. Except for the disabled, all votes at the polls will be done on paper provisional ballots. This will be the first time for many people having to use a provisional ballot instead of a voting machine.

Election night will be different as well. This year, every vote will be counted and checked by hand. Any ballot postmarked or deposited in a secure drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3 will be counted. Valid votes may arrive up to seven days after that date. For every ballot received with a minor error, the Board of Elections (BOE) is required to contact and assist the voter to “cure” the discrepancy.

Riley said her office is still attempting to provide ballots to those who haven’t received them. A registered voter may come to the clerk’s office to obtain a replacement. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but this Saturday it will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Sunday 12 noon to 4 p.m., and on Election Day 6 a.m to 8 p.m.

No votes are cast at the clerk’s office. The clerk has a satellite office at Cumberland Mall. To vote in person, you may call the BOE and arrange to drop off your ballot.

Cumberland County Clerk: 856-453-4860; Board of Elections: 856-453-5801