NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, Pa. – Counties across Pennsylvania are getting ready to count millions of ballots Tuesday, but this year, they’re doing that work without any state funding as they wait for a budget to be passed.

In Northampton County, more than 25,000 people have already submitted a mail-in ballot, which is about a 6,000 vote increase from the last municipal election in 2021.

“More people are voting, and whenever more people vote, that’s great. It’s also helping people who have difficulty getting out to the polls. So it’s great for people who are struggling with disabilities,” said Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure.

Lehigh County told us it also saw an increase, with about 4,000 more mail-in votes than in 2021.

McClure said, despite a continued delay in state funding and an increase in mail-in ballots, he doesn’t expect services to be impacted.

“It does not now, because of the way the grant funding and our budgeting is done, so we are perfectly fine from a budgetary point of view putting the election on,” said McClure.

Commonwealth Secretary Al Scmidt said he believes that will be the story in every county.

“We really haven’t seen any significant issues as of this point, and I think that’s a reflection of, not just how dedicated our county election officials are, but also the hard work of the Department of State,” said Schmidt.

But if you are taking your ballot to a drop box, Schmidt said there are important things to remember.

“Ballots that are undated or misdated by the voter, when they vote by mail, should be counted. Now the voter is still required to sign the outer declaration envelope when it’s returned,” said Schmidt.

So, McClure said go out and vote, because municipal elections are just as important as any other.

“Forget about the Federal and State government and their dysfunction. Your local governments, your counties, your cities, your boroughs, your townships, they’re functioning, and so you should get out there and decide who runs them,” said McClure.

It’s important to remember, if you haven’t sent in your mail-in ballot yet, don’t just drop it in the mail. It won’t get here by 8 p.m. Tuesday night. Either come drop it off yourself, or go vote in-person to make sure your vote is counted.