All of Lehigh County & Additional Referendum in North Whitehall
(Exact wording and links to additional information about the questions)
Plain Language Explanations — Lehigh County Voter Registration Office PDF
Lehigh County Referendum Question 1
Shall the Lehigh County Home Rule Charter be amended to expand the membership of the Election and Registration Commission from 3 voting members to 5 voting members, consisting of 2 members from each of the two largest political affiliations in the County, and 1 member from the third largest political affiliation (inclusive of non-affiliated/independent), and to revise the appointment process to provide residents the opportunity to apply for the Commission? YES or NO
A “yes” vote would expand the Lehigh County Election Board to five members – two Democrats, two Republicans, and one independent. The county executive is removed as a voting member of the commission and the appointment process is opened to public applications in addition to party nominations.
A “no” vote would keep the Lehigh County Election Board as is – one Democrat, one Republican, and the Lehigh County Executive.
Plain Language Explanation (Page 6) — PDF posted by the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office
Understanding the Election Board Question — A nonpartisan voter-education guide to what would change and what would stay the same.
Lehigh County Commissioners Bill 2026-19 PDF — The full text of the commissioners’ bill
Plain Language Explanation
Lehigh County Referendum Question 2
Shall multiple sections of the Lehigh County Home Rule Charter be amended to allow the County to publish notices in at least one newspaper of general circulation instead of the currently required two newspapers? YES or NO
Plain Language Explanation (Page 7) — PDF posted by the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office
Lehigh County Referendum Question 3
Shall Section 606 of the Lehigh County Home Rule Charter be amended to eliminate the requirement that the Chair of the Board of Commissioners serve on the Lehigh County Retirement Board, and replace the Chair with another member of the Board of Commissioners? YES or NO
Plain Language Explanation (Page 8) — PDF posted by the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office
Sources:
Plain Language Explanation (Pages 6-8) — PDF posted by the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office Lehigh County Sample Ballots, Lehigh County Commissioners Bill 2026-19 PDF, Lehigh County Democratic Committee, Armchair Lehigh Valley, “Lehigh County approves voter referendum for expanded election board”, Steve Novak, May 14, Ballotpedia explanation,
➔ See 2026 Election Page for more information about the candidates on your ballot.
North Whitehall Township Referendum Question
🚩North Whitehall ballots were originally printed with incorrect wording. Corrected mail-in ballots are being sent to affected voters. Those voters will receive a replacement ballot and letter in a few days. The letter will advise affected voters to complete and return the new ballot, even if they have already returned the original ballot. The new ballot will replace the old one.
CORRECTED QUESTION that corresponds to NWT Ordinance No. 2026-04. Section 2, #1.
Do you favor the imposition of an additional earned income tax at the rate of 0.15% by North Whitehall Township to be used for the acquisition of interests in real property to preserve open space?
YES or NO
A “yes” vote supports the additional tax.
A “no” vote opposes the additional tax.
Plain Language Explanation (Pages 4 & 5) — PDF posted by the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office
Press release from North Whitehall Township Regarding Ballot Error
This page is no longer available on the North Whitehall Website North Whitehall Township Information Page — explains in detail why the board believes this measure is needed and provides answers to questions you may have.
(The original incorrect question was: “Do you favor North Whitehall Township imposing an additional earned income tax at the rate of 0.15% in order to fund the purchase of land to preserve open space?“)
Sources:
Plain Language Explanation (Pages 4& 5) — PDF posted by the Lehigh County Voter Registration Office
North Whitehall Township Website (page no longer available), NWT Ordinance No. 2026-04. See section 2, #1.
North Whitehall supervisors discuss Earned Income Tax proposal, Michael Hirsch, Lehigh Valley Press, March 20, 2026
➔ See 2026 Election Page for more information about the candidates on your ballot.