County Relocates Local Polls for June 2 Vote

NORRISTOWN PA – A total of 44 polling places in western Montgomery County municipalities covered by The Post are among more than 300 that will temporarily change – for the June 2 primary only – as a response to poll worker and voter safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, county officials announced Wednesday (May 20, 2020).

Affected polls include some, but not necessarily all, in the boroughs of Collegeville, East Greenville, Pennsburg, Pottstown, and Royersford; and the townships of Douglass (Montgomery), Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove, Lower Salford, New Hanover, Salford, Skippack, Upper Frederick, Upper Providence, and Upper Salford.

• A list provided by the county Board of Elections and modified to display only local precincts moved can be download for readability, here. A far smaller image of the list appears below.

The changes, implemented May 11 by the board, reduced existing 352 polling sites by 60 percent to a remaining 140 that will operate on primary day. The plan moves the affected polling locations into public schools for the primary election only.

“We are doing everything we can to hold a safe election for those who want to work at the polls and vote in-person,” county commissioner and Board of Elections Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. said. “School buildings provide a space for minimal exposure for voters, adequate parking, and space for social distancing.”

“To help minimize exposure and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at the polls, we are asking voters to wear protective face masks and bring their own black pen,” said Lawrence. “Voters who don’t feel comfortable casting their ballot in-person can apply for a mail-in ballot,” he added.

The last day to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot is May 26, the Tuesday before the election, at 5 p.m. Officials are urging voters to apply immediately to ensure adequate turnaround. Mail-in ballots must be received by Voter Services by June 2 at 8 p.m. Postmark dates do not apply. Apply for a mail-in ballot at http://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov.

School district superintendents were consulted in advance about the potential, Pottsgrove schools Superintendent Dr. William Shirk told its school board earlier this month, and then were formally notified of the change.

Voting equipment will be sanitized throughout the day, hand sanitizer will be provided, and areas will be marked so that voters can maintain social distancing rules while waiting in line and filling out their ballots, the county pledged. Additionally, school buildings will be sanitized after Election Day.

Letters have been mailed to all households with eligible voters, advising them of where to find their temporary polling place. The changes will also be posted on the door of each original polling location.

Photo by The Post Publications from its archives