GETTING READY FOR ONSLAUGHT
Montco hires more workers to deal with voting changes
Big changes to the way Pennsylvania has conducted elections and counted ballots for many decades are underway in county election offices throughout the commonwealth.
Those changes are the result of a historic election reform bill signed into law last fall that was designed by state lawmakers to increase access to the ballot box.
The new law, in effect now for the primary on April 28, allows registered voters to cast ballots from the convenience of their home in every election without having to provide an excuse as to why they can’t make it to the polls on Election Day; allows people to register to vote as late as 15 days before an election; and allows voters to submit their mail-in or absentee ballot until the day of the election.
Supporters say the changes will improve voter turnout across the state.
List of changes
Permanent absentee ballot list Before: Voters could qualify for an absentee ballot only if one the following would keep them from the polls for a primary or general election: an illness or physical disability, duties related to elections or the celebration of a religious holiday.
Now: Those rules are still in place. But voters will now be able to request absentee ballots for all primary, general and special elections held in a given year, creating a permanent list.
No-excuse mail-in voting
Before: There were no alternatives for voters who failed to meet the requirement for an absentee ballot but found it difficult to get to the polls on Election Day.
Now: The law created a new option to vote by mail without providing an excuse. And voters will be able to request mailin ballots for all primary, general and special elections held in a given year, creating a permanent list. Pennsylvania joins 31 other states with mail-in voting that removes barriers to voting this way.
Extended mail-in and absentee submission deadlines
Before: Pennsylvania had the distinction of having the earliest deadline in the country for voters to submit absentee ballots, requiring them to arrive by the Friday before an election to be counted.
Now: Voters can submit mail-in and absentee ballots until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
15 more days to register Before: Pennsylvanians had to register to vote by 30 days before an election.
Now: The deadline to register to vote is 15 days before an election. The
more flexible deadline provides more time to register to vote than 24 other states.
Montco preparedness
For Montgomery County, preparation for the upcoming primary and general elections is key, county election officials say.
Lee Soltysiak, the county’s chief operating officer, said the commissioners allocated funding in a budget passed in December 2019 to hire 16 employees for the voter services department. There would be one full-time employee and 15 other part-time employees specifically for the 2020 election season, he said.
“We’re doubling the size of the office for what’s expected to be a lot of volume,” Soltysiak said.
In addition to increasing personnel, the county will have more staff and resources to account for the anticipated amount.
“Expect the numbers” of mail-in ballots “to be significant,” he said.
“We will have additional folks on hand compared to years past for the handling and the opening of those ballots,” Soltysiak said. “We’ll be investing in high speed commercial letter openers to get those letters opened as quickly as possible. And also additional high speed scanners
to actually scan and tabulate the vote.”
When asked if the volume could be overwhelming, Soltysiak replied, “Not if we plan for it. These changes were made just this year, but I think we’ve got the time to put in place what we need to be prepared to accept those ballots and to count them in an orderly fashion.”
Soltysiak emphasized that absentee ballot policies are still in effect, but the mail-in ballot is another option.
“Absentee balloting will still exist going forward, and if you qualify for an absentee ballot you should apply for an absentee ballot,” he said.
There is also a voting practice specific to Montgomery County: voter marked paper ballots.
The system was in use at polling places for the past two elections, according to Soltysiak, but it’s something that not all voters are accustomed to.
“The majority of the people showing up on election day this year will be experiencing our new voter marked paper ballot system for the first time,” he said.
Additionally, voters will be able to complete and submit their applications for mail-in or absentee ballots at the voter services department’s office beginning in mid-March, according to John Marlatt, solicitor for the county’s election board. The office is located in Suite 602 of One Montgomery Plaza on 425 Swede St. in Norristown.
Marlatt said this option will be available “during normal business hours.” He added county officials also plan to hold “extended hours” for voters “as we get closer to the
election.”
The extended hours for weekends are as followed: 9 a.m. to noon on April 4 1-4 p.m. on April 5 9 a.m. to noon on April 18
1-4 p.m. on April 19 Marlatt added the office will also be open until 7 p.m. on April 14 and April 16.
Soltysiak also encouraged prospective voters to complete forms online and “to get informed” about the various new voting policies and resources on the county voter services department website.