Bucks County board votes to add on‑demand mail‑in voting sites, increase drop boxes from 3 to 7

The Bucks County Board of Elections unanimously approved an expansion of on‑demand mail‑in ballot services and ballot drop boxes, adding locations at three Bucks County Community College campuses (Perkasie, Newtown, Bristol) and the Warminster library.

Director Alec told the board the changes would increase the county’s on‑demand and drop‑box sites from three to seven. “So this would move it from 3 to 7 total,” the presiding chair said during the discussion, and staff confirmed the count. Alec said the on‑demand process requires staff to process a mail‑in ballot application, verify identification and then print and prepare the voter’s ballot; the office estimates the transaction takes about “at least 10 minutes per voter.”

Board members sought operational details: staff said some community‑college sites will be open on Saturdays but not all are accessible on weekends, and hours will vary by location with some extended evening hours under consideration. Ballot drop boxes will be placed in lobbies at the campus sites, monitored by staff and cameras in real time; the department recently added four per‑diem clerks and two ballot‑box clerks per new location to handle the workload.

Public commenters and board members emphasized outreach: the office plans mailings to affected voters, yard signage and social media notices to direct people to the correct buildings and parking. The motion to approve the expansion was moved, seconded and carried unanimously.

Next steps: staff said they will post exact hours and location details on the county website and social media and proceed with logistics ahead of the October ballot preparation schedule.