in ballots headed to voters in next few days
NORRISTOWN — Mail-in ballots are expected to begin reaching voters' mailboxes across Montgomery County in the next few days as preparations continue for the 2024 general election , officials said earlier this week.
Around 115,000 mail-in ballots had been requested as of Tuesday and Montgomery County officials said they received certified ballots from the Pennsylvania Department of State on Monday. All three county commissioners expressed confidence things will go smoothly.
"We're in good shape, and the ballots are going to be going out ... later this week into early next week, and ... people that requested mail-in ballots are going to start receiving them," Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello said Tuesday at a press conference to discuss election security.
Montgomery County election security discussed
Delays during primary
Mail-in ballot delays had been a focal point of the 2024 primary election. Meeting 24 hours prior to Election Day in April, Montgomery County Election Board Chairman Neil Makhija acknowledged issues where "there wasn't enough time in this primary really for people to get their mail-in and send it back, and part of that is the statutory context."
"It's impossible for the state to actually meet the requirements, because the certification of the election happened just about a month before this election, and we really want to get to a place where we're mailing 50 days before, at least, and so there's a number of steps that we're going to take including meeting with all of the vendors," he continued.
Given the ballots were certified around 50 days before the 2024 general election, county officials aimed to assure voters they'd have sufficient time to return their ballots through the U.S. Postal Service, as well as drop boxes and satellite offices situated across Montgomery County.
"So they have plenty of time if they decide to use the U.S. Postal Service to send the ballots back," DiBello said on Tuesday, noting that voters can track their ballot status online.
Mail-in ballot delays dominate Montgomery County election board meeting
Montgomery County Commissioners' Chairwoman Jamila Winder, who also serves as vice chairwoman of the Montgomery County Board of Elections, agreed.
"Montgomery County is ready and prepared for this general election," Winder said Tuesday. "We are ready to print and mail ballots to those that requested them. We are ready to answer questions for new voters. We are ready to staff our new enhanced satellite offices, and we are ready to work day and night to run election operations and tabulate the results."
Montgomery County had recorded 619,080 registered voters as of Monday, according to figures from the Pennsylvania Department of State. Area residents have until Oct. 21 to register to vote and those interested in voting by mail must request a mail-in ballot by Oct. 29. Visit montcovotes.com for more information about the Montgomery County Office of Voter Services and the Pennsylvania Department of State's website to verify voter registration status.
First ballot cast
Makhija cast his ballot on Tuesday following the Tuesday morning press conference detailing security and preparation initiatives.
"Election Day is no longer Nov. 5. Election Day starts today and it's every day until Nov. 5," Makhija said, noting options of in-person voting, mail ballots or absentee ballots, the latter two occurring ahead of the date.
That message continued during Wednesday's Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting. Makhija emphasized the importance of increasing overall accessibility, giving voters a one-stop shop to register to vote, request their mail-in ballot and return it all at the county voter services office, located on the sixth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St., in Norristown.
"I believe I cast the first ballot in Pennsylvania, which I will tell people for the rest of my life, and it's really an exciting moment because here in the county we've done a lot of work ... to a place where we can get people their ballots with plenty of time to mail them back, plenty of time to correct any technical issues that may come up with processing their ballot ... we expect ballots to get out in the mail this week, and there's 115,000 people who have already applied for their mail-in ballot. If you have not already, it's very easy," Makhija said.
County officials anticipate requests of up to 200,000 mail-in ballots for the election.
Makhija held up a ballot during his opening comments and shared instructions related to the secrecy envelope and urged voters "sign and date the ballot."
Officials anticipate high voter turnout for the 2024 general election. Citing figures from prior election summary reports, a 68.49 percent voter turnout rate was recorded in 2022 and an 84.27 percent in 2020, the last presidential election between Trump and President Joe Biden.
Montgomery County doubles Voter Services satellite offices, increases ballot drop boxes
More drop boxes
County commissioners increased the number of drop boxes and satellite offices for the 2024 election season. Eighteen drop boxes and eight satellite offices were authorized during a September 5 county election board meeting, as compared to the 12 drop boxes and four satellite offices posted for the primary election back in April. Drop boxes will be available for use and under surveillance 24 hours per day starting on October 4.
Makhija also noted several initiatives aiming to provide more information about the 2024 general election's processes and protocols. He highlighted a telephone town hall that took place last week and expected more to take place between now and November
"It was really fascinating for me to really get a glimpse into what voter services deals with every day," Makhija said, emphasizing questions ranged from "big policy issues" to more general information inquiries. Makhija stressed "when we go into the final stretch of the election ... getting the right information out there about how our election process is working and the fact that it is secure and safe is essential."
Montgomery County will have 426 polling places set up for Election Day. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and all ballots need to be cast or returned by the time the polls close at 8 p.m. Once canvassing efforts begin at 7 a.m. on Nov. 5, DiBello said tabulation efforts would continue on a continuous basis until all mail-in ballots have been counted. He anticipated that to wrap up by midday on November 6.
Anyone with questions can contact the Montgomery County Office of Voter Services at 610-278-3280. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday on the sixth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St., Norristown.
