Montgomery County authorizes 10 polling‑place relocations, moves dropbox as ballots are prepared for May primary

The Montgomery County Election Board voted April 9 to relocate 10 polling places for the May 18 primary and to move a county ballot dropbox from Green Lane to the Gilbertville Shopping Center, election staff said.

The decision matters because the relocations change where voters in the affected precincts will cast ballots this year; election officials said new voter ID cards reflecting the changes will be mailed to every voter in those precincts. The board moved the changes after staff said some current polling locations are under construction or have declined to continue as precinct sites.

Frank, the county’s director of elections, told the board that "ballots will be available next week" and that logic‑and‑accuracy testing will begin once ballots are ready, with a tentative start of next Wednesday. He said staff will advertise the testing date to parties and registered citizen groups once the date is firm. On dropboxes, staff said they would open box locations this weekend so they are available as ballots start arriving; sheriff deputies will begin daily servicing of boxes next Saturday.

Board members pressed staff on the reasons for particular relocations and whether the county could consolidate more precincts into large, well‑equipped sites such as high schools. Frank said consolidation is explored when possible but is constrained by the election code’s residency rules for polling locations, ADA access, parking, and site commitments through November.

On the Green Lane dropbox specifically, staff said the new Gilbertville Shopping Center location will be more visible and better lit and will be sited outside a magisterial district court with 24‑hour camera recording. Commissioners asked whether cameras are actively monitored; staff confirmed cameras will record but are not continuously watched in real time.

The board approved the polling location relocations and the dropbox move by voice vote during the April 9 election board meeting. Next procedural steps: county staff will mail updated voter ID cards to affected voters, post the final location list on the elections website, and run advertised logic‑and‑accuracy testing prior to ballots being counted.

Appeals or formal challenges to location moves would follow existing notice procedures under the election code; staff said they had posted required notices at affected sites at least five days in advance and will continue to notify parties and registered citizen groups about testing and other dates.

The board also heard updates on electronic poll‑book training, which staff said has been well attended and includes both virtual sessions and hands‑on open houses for poll workers ahead of the primary. The election board adjourned after confirming training and logistical plans.

The county’s actions take place against the calendar for the May 18 primary. County officials said they will publish updated precinct and dropbox maps on montgomerycountypa.gov and encourage voters with questions to contact the elections office.