The event brought out more than 150 Democratic supporters, community leaders and elected officials to Salus University amid the 2024 election season. The private college, located in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, features healthcare-focused degree programs.

“We must be vigilant and hold onto these rights,” Harris said to a room full of people.

Harris was not alone on stage. Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph took a break from her role as Barbara Howard on the Philadelphia-based television show, “Abbot Elementary,” to engage in the conversation. Ralph also has ties to the area in her own life as the long-time spouse of state Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-7th Dist.

“This human right here isn’t out to connect some of us. She is here to connect all of us. And this human being just happens to be a woman,” Ralph said of Harris as the crowd erupted in applause.

The vice president spent much of Wednesday’s event advocating for abortion rights, an issue that’s sure to be on the minds of voters in November when President Joe Biden faces off against former president Donald Trump in the general election.

Pennsylvania has long been a key election battleground state, and according to a campaign statement, Harris has visited the Keystone State more than a dozen times in the last four years.

The exchange between Harris and Ralph focused on the need to increase overall accessibility as the two stressed the importance of organizations like Planned Parenthood.

“You go to clinics like these because you need health care,” Ralph said, adding that “being a woman is not something to be ashamed of. Listen, if a man can get Viagra, I need health care too.”

Speakers blasted Trump’s policy choices and judicial nominations to the Supreme Court during his presidency. The Supreme Court overturned the controversial Roe v. Wade decision in June 2022, allowing each state to decide on abortion restrictions.

State Sen. Art Haywood, D-4th Dist., is pictured speaking on May 8, 2024 during a campaign event featuring Vice President Kamala Harris at Salus University in Elkins Park. (Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)State Sen. Art Haywood, D-4th Dist., represents constituents in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. He took to the stage Wednesday and declared he’s “proud to defend the right to choose.”

Anti-abortion efforts have ramped up in recent months, with some states imposing varying levels of abortion bans and threats of punitive penalties on medical practitioners. Harris spoke of a six-week ban imposed in Florida just last week.

“Which makes very clear — by the way — that these very important so-called leaders are not very clear about how a woman’s body works since most women don’t even know they’re pregnant at six weeks,” Harris said.

“So either they (leaders) don’t know or they don’t care. This is what’s happening in our country in this year, 2024.”

“And so we have to all of us — and I’m preaching to the choir with this group that’s here — we have to be active,” she continued. “We have to stand for these fundamental points that are about freedom, and also, hopefully, that we all as Americans have a sense of empathy and concern about the suffering of other people.”

Some states brought referendums to the voters to decide abortion rights.

“When this issue was on the ballot the American people voted for freedom,” Harris said.

Looking ahead to November, it’s an issue Democrats stressed must be taken seriously.

“We know why we’re here today,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder, a Democrat. “We know the huge issue reproductive rights are right here in this country and potentially in our state.”

“We have seen our rights and freedoms eroded and threatened further since Donald Trump got Roe overturned,” she continued. “Here in Pennsylvania a woman’s right to make medical decisions with her doctor, not her legislator is still the law, but that could change in an instant if Donald Trump makes it back to the White House.”

Natalie Lennick, president of the West Norriton Township-based Whitehall Elementary School’s parent faculty club, agreed.

“I refuse to live in a world where our children have less rights than we did,” Lennick said.

The issues touched Ralph personally, as she shared with the audience that she encountered health issues during her own pregnancy.

“That was 30 years ago. I had more rights 30 years ago,” Ralph said.

Montgomery County officials showed up in droves as representation from elected leaders spanned from local to county to state governments were represented in the audience and as speakers ahead of Harris’ appearance. Among them were Winder and Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija, also a Democrat.

“I think the core message that exercising your right to vote to protect your reproductive freedom is one that is going to be compelling to a lot of women, and men, and really all Montgomery county residents,” Makhija told MediaNews Group.

“It’s great to have the vice president in Montgomery County. We know that Montgomery County is key to this year’s election. So it’s just super exciting,” Winder told MediaNews Group.

Maternal health disparities were also discussed during the conversation. In addition, Harris touched on legislative initiatives during the administration’s first term surrounding gun violence and prescription medications. However, voter outreach was also a key component of Wednesday’s campaign event as Winder implored attendees in her home county to “show up and show out on Nov. 5,” underscoring that “there is so much on the line.”

Trump will be in the greater Philadelphia region later this week, holding a campaign rally in New Jersey, according to media outlets.

The Montgomery County Board of Elections convened late Friday morning with the sole agenda item regarding the “consideration of mail-in ballots with incorrect years.” Senior Assistant Solicitor John Marlatt gave a status report concerning the roughly 60,000 mail-in and absentee ballots returned as part of last month’s primary election.

Voters began receiving ballots on April 1 and had to have them returned by 8 p.m. on April 23. Election officials separated 474 ballots where the month and day were recorded correctly, Marlatt said, “but the year was either missing or incorrect.” Of those, 346 ballots came from Democrats and 137 from Republicans, with the average voting age of 72 years old, Marlatt said.

Marlatt noted in his address to county officials this issue has been highly litigated and the matter of dates has been “challenged twice at the federal level.”

The same issue came before the county election board earlier this year when North Penn School District held a special election. The board ultimately voted 2-1 to allow 75 mail-in ballots, which were shown to have the outer envelope containing an acceptable day and month, “but the voter listed an incorrect year, or did not list a year,” Marlatt said during the Jan. 23 election board meeting.

Montgomery County Election Board Chairman Neil Makhija and Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder, both Democrats, voted in favor, while Republican Commissioner Tom DiBello was the sole opponent. Friday’s meeting produced a similar result, passing another 2-1 vote in favor of including those 474 mail-in and absentee ballots in the count.

DiBello and Makhija voiced opposing opinions on the issue.

“My opinion hasn’t changed from when we had this conversation earlier on this year with the special election,” DiBello said. “What I’ve heard today and all I keep hearing is about opinions, opinions, opinions.

“Act 77 says that mail-in ballots need to be properly dated and there’s been no change to the law. So as far as I’m concerned opinions don’t mean anything,” he continued. “So I don’t support this. I didn’t support it then, I don’t support it now and I won’t support it moving forward.”

“My fundamental view on this is if we know the voters are eligible, we know they’re properly registered, that we shouldn’t allow something that is immaterial to disqualify or discount their votes, and I could not go to any one of these voters and tell them we’re going to throw out your ballot…” Makhija said.

“I can,” DiBello interjected.

“Over something that is …,” Makhija continued, “well you can vote the way you’d like to vote. So … you made your comment, I’ll make my comment.

“I think it’s really important that this board protect(s) the right to vote for all Montgomery County residents and this is an important measure that would do that,” Makhija continued.

“Obviously in Montgomery County we interpret Act 77 however we want,” DiBello said following the vote.

Voter numbers

Montgomery County had 608,481 registered voters, according to the county’s 2024 unofficial primary election results dashboard. With 148,738 ballots cast, the 2024 primary election had a 24.44 voter turnout rate.

Marlatt noted approximately 1,300 mail-in and absentee ballots were “flagged with issues” during the canvassing process. More than 700 ballots were “rejected” due to concerns over invalid or undated ballots, unsigned declarations or identifications.

Specifically, there were 166 ballots “where voters (were) required to verify ID and failed to do so,” Marlatt said. There were another 164 undated declaration ballots, 155 ballots with invalid dates, 136 ballots with unsigned declarations, 84 naked ballots, and nine “rejected for correspondence ID that was not found.”

Marlatt added that there were 282 ballots “returned as undeliverable,” and 859 ballots “came in after the deadline.”

In addition, 674 provisional ballots were compiled but have not yet been counted.

Ballot concerns

The subject of mail-in ballots on Friday picked up from the previous election board meetings and public comment forums of county commissioner meetings when elected officials and area residents spoke for and against the remote voting opportunities permitted in Pennsylvania.

“This last election was not good performance wise by the county when it came to mail-in ballots,” said Worcester Township resident Jim Mollick on Thursday.

“(I) appreciate you raising the issues from the primary election and … the three of us take delivering on our elections very seriously and we want to ensure, especially during a presidential year, that we unpack every part of the process, and take the feedback that we’re getting from the community very seriously in terms of how we can improve things,” Winder said at the commissioners’ meeting.

Winder made a “commitment” that the election board plans to conduct an “after action” report to improve procedures for the general election in November. DiBello called for more structure when it comes to election-related planning.

“The primary election we had significant issues with the entire mail-in process, and I think it’s prudent as this election board moving forward that going into the general election in November that we have regularly scheduled meetings at least monthly,” he said on Friday, adding that it’s crucial to “have a lot of oversight and understand exactly step by step what’s occurring and when it’s occurring and even a layout of the schedule what happens before during and after the election.”

Winder and Makhija stressed the importance of meeting with staff, vendors and state partners to get on the same page.

“We’re systematically reviewing every step of the mail-in process on how we can make it more efficient,” Makhija said on Thursday, noting there were difficulties statewide as “none of the counties were able to meet the 50-day deadline” of sending out mail-in ballots due to the fact the “courts did not confirm who’s on the ballot” within a timely fashion.

“As for what we can do at the county, we’re going to work with all of our vendors to make sure that they have the proper capacity and can efficiently process the hundreds of thousands of ballots they’re going to need to for us,” Makhija said.

Winder agreed.

“That’s critical,” she said. “We know what the state needs to do, but it’s like what can we do with what we know we can control? I know we’re collectively committed to that.”

All results are considered unofficial until certified by the Montgomery County Board of Elections. Officials have until May 13 to do so.

The incumbent Democrat received 124 votes, while Republican opponent Antonio Davila had 24 votes, according to Montgomery County’s 2024 primary election unofficial results dashboard. Hughes, a senior assistant solicitor with the Montgomery County Solicitor’s Office, announced her intentions in early March to run to represent the municipality’s fourth district.

She’d first been appointed to serve out the remainder of former Councilman Hakim Jones’ term as he resigned to run for a magisterial district judgeship in the 2023 election.

Democrat Dionne Lee ran unopposed in the 2023 general election, receiving 1,024 votes in her favor, with another 22 write-in votes reported, according to 2023 election results. However, Lee was never sworn in, as Solicitor Sean Kilkenny said she was “ineligible to take office because of a prior conviction.”

Hughes was once again named and sworn in to serve on a temporary basis until the special election could decide a permanent replacement.

“I’ve learned that there’s just a lot of hope and promise in Norristown,” Hughes told MediaNews Group in January. “Norristown is about to really blow up, and I’m excited that I have a direct role in that from the development that’s coming, the businesses that are coming to the community. We made a lot of big decisions this last year, and I think it’s going to continue on this year.”

Along with the special election in the county seat, Montgomery County voters came out to make their choices in national and state races. There were 608,481 registered voters, according to the county’s 2024 unofficial primary election results dashboard.

In-person voting shows 89,783 ballots counted across 426 precincts on Election Day, according to unofficial results posted as of 1:45 a.m. Wednesday. The election’s absentee and mail-in component had 60,408 ballots returned, and 58,949 ballots counted. Another 1,459 were considered “pending evaluation.” Counting of provisional and military ballots has not yet started.

This comes as delays surrounding mail-in ballots dominated the Montgomery County Board of Elections’ meeting on Monday.

“This is the first election overseeing the process as new commissioners and I am developing a number of recommendations that I think will improve the process,” Montgomery County Election Board Chairman Neil Makhija told MediaNews Group Wednesday morning. “I am glad that while we had some issues with USPS and delivery, our team reacted quickly to communicate to the electorate through new means, like obtaining all voter’s emails, and informing them about the importance of returning ballots through drop boxes.”

The presidential primary race was top of mind for voters as they decided who they’d like to see on the ballot in November.

Unofficial results for the Democrats show 87,322 votes for President Joe Biden and 3,617 votes for Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips. The Republican race had 38,001 votes for former president Donald Trump, and 12,437 votes for former candidate Nikki Haley, who suspended her campaign last month.

Additionally, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, and Republican candidate Dave McCormick each ran unopposed, receiving 92,142 votes and 48,003 votes, respectively, according to the county’s unofficial election results dashboard. Both names will likely appear on the November ballot.

All results are considered unofficial until certified by the Montgomery County Board of Elections. Officials have until May 13 to do so.

The three-member board convened less than 24 hours before the polls open for in-person voting, and all mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Tuesday when polls close.

“We are responsible for delivering on our elections and we take that responsibility very seriously,” said Montgomery County Election Board Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder, adding that officials are “looking at every step in the process leading up to the primary.”

“I apologize to anyone that’s been inconvenienced by some of the delays,” Winder said.

Montgomery County Election Board Chairman Neil Makhija agreed, kicking off his opening comments acknowledging several issues that have taken place amid the start of the election season.

“We are thoroughly analyzing every step of the mail-in process right now,” Makhija said. “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.”

Makhija noted there “aren’t specific turnaround times” listed in the aforementioned vendor contracts, which is something he’d like to address before the November general election.

DiBello says he’s left out

Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello was apparently unaware of issues being looked into by his fellow election board members, underscoring that “we doesn’t include me.”

“So I don’t know what recommendations or things that we are going to be proposing, but I’m not specifically happy with the fact where we are today with the complete mess that the primary’s been with the ballots, but I would assure everyone that when I’m not happy, when I get pissed off, then I dig in,” DiBello said. “After tomorrow, I’m digging in because I’m not doing this come November.”

While DiBello and Makhija took similar stances on the need to work with the state legislature to ensure stakeholders are on the same page, DiBello noted the need for work to be done locally.

“It’s a very complex process, and I think that we, as three new commissioners that are now inheriting some of the issues … working and trying to do everything we could to ensure that we could get the ballots out, but we definitely have our work cut out for us, and come next week, after the dust settles we’re going to really dig in deep, and really get this to the point where come November, we’re running as smooth as possible,” DiBello said.

“I think all three of us are aligned on that,” Makhija replied.

Frustrated voters

Schwenksville resident Joanne Schweitzer shared during the meeting’s public comment period that her husband had opted to vote by mail, but “only received (a mail-in ballot) a few days ago.”

“He would have had to fill it out the day that he received it and hope that it would have gotten in time for tomorrow. So it just wasn’t enough time and I just wanted to let you know that,” she said.

Schweitzer said her husband plans to fill out the ballot and return it Tuesday to a drop box in Skippack Township.

“Our apologies. We’re well aware of this and … we’re going to make sure that this does not happen,” Makhija said.

Makhija maintained the safety and security of a dozen drop boxes situated across Montgomery County. They’re located in Cheltenham, Lansdale, Lower Merion, Norristown, Pottstown, Royersford, Skippack, Upper Dublin, Upper Frederick, Upper Merion and Upper Moreland townships. Monitored by video surveillance, the drop boxes will be available to drop off ballots until 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

“They are significantly more secure than postal boxes,” Makhija said.

In addition to mail-in ballots, public comment centered around election integrity and the need for “quality assurance” procedures to be made available to the public.

In addition, county election officials authorized the appointment of 76 election tabulators, more than 2,600 poll workers, and members of the canvassing board, an entity made up of more than 80 people, both county employees and registered Montgomery County voters.

What’s on ballot

Along with the presidential primary, several congressional and state candidates will be on the ballot. Locally, the Municipality of Norristown will hold a special election where voters will choose a seat left vacant after a candidate was ineligible to take office.

Norristown Councilwoman Lauren Hughes, a Democrat, has been serving on an interim basis and is running for the seat in the municipality’s fourth district against Republican Antonio Davila.

An election-related tip line was established by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Anyone wishing to report any suspicious activity on Election Day can call 610-292-2024.

Anyone with questions about the upcoming election in Montgomery County can contact the Montgomery County Office of Voter Services. 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. Call 610-278-3280 or visit montgomerycountypa.gov/VoterServices for more information.

Anyone who sees someone attempting to break into the ballot drop boxes, delivering multiple ballots to the boxes, damaging the boxes or otherwise doing something suspicious or criminal is asked to immediately call the Election Tip Line of 610-292-2024.

“Today I want to reassure Montgomery County residents that we will use all means to make certain we have a safe, secure and valid election here in Montgomery County, for both in-person voting on Election Day and for voting by dropping off completed paper ballots,” said District Attorney Kevin R. Steele. “If the facts and evidence warrant it, we will prosecute anyone who attempts to interfere with this election.”

The 12 secure ballot drop box locations spread throughout Montgomery County are available to drop off ballots through 8 p.m., on April 23. All ballot drop box locations are under video surveillance. They are located in Cheltenham, Lansdale, Lower Merion, Norristown (two locations), Pottstown, Royersford, Skippack, Upper Dublin, Upper Frederick, Upper Merion and Upper Moreland.

Addresses for secure drop boxes, as well as voting instructions, can be found on the county’s website at https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/3587/Secure-Ballot-Drop-Box-Locations.

On Election Day, a team of prosecutors and detectives will be available for referral and to respond to any complaints. No irregularities are expected to occur with the election; however, the team will be ready to assist in protecting the integrity of our electoral system as well as protect individuals working at voting locations.

First Assistant Ed McCann Jr., Assistant District Attorney Jediah Grobstein and Montgomery County Detectives will work with state, county and local law enforcement, as well as other government officials, to protect access to and the integrity of the April 23 primary election. Reported violations of election laws will be investigated, and if appropriate, prosecuted.

Any potential problems on election day should be reported by calling the Election Tip Line at 610-292-2024, emailing jediah.grobstein@montgomerycountypa.gov or by calling the County Radio Room at 610-275-1222.

The inductees were honored during an April 4 ceremony, having voted in 50 general elections. Additionally, others were recognized who’ve voted in the past 50 elections, including primaries, before reaching 50 years old.

“This is an inspiring day, as we recognize people’s unshakeable faith in the democratic system,” said Montgomery County Board of Elections Chairman Neil Makhija in a statement. “And especially as Pennsylvanians, you are extremely coveted voters. You come in year after year to be a part of shaping the future of the country. You have made it through many moments when the voices of Pennsylvanians have been pivotal in the history of the country.”

County officials stressed the importance of voter outreach and participation ahead of the 2024 election season. The primary is scheduled to take place on April 23.

“So many times I hear, ‘I’m not voting, it’s a local election.’ It’s always important to vote in presidential elections like this year, but the off-year races are just as important, if not more important,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello in a statement. “You set the tone as far as dedication to voting. I hope you tell your friends and family to follow in your footsteps.”

Among those inducted into the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Elections Bureau program was former Abington Commissioner D. Gregory Holt II.

“I would always remind young people that not voting has consequences. There has to be an issue that’s part of that election process that’s important to them, and even if there are other things that they don’t feel are important, or they have no interest in, make that one issue important enough to get you out to vote,” Holt said in a statement.

“But also, at some point, some of the things that they don’t think are as important to them now, may become important to their future children or grandchildren,” he continued. “Politics is a long game. Things get passed that may not affect you for a while.”

Joseph Burkert, 28, was also in attendance, having voted in 20 consecutive elections since turning 18 years old.

“I think it’s important to vote because regardless of what you think, whether it’s this way or that way, your voice needs to be heard. It’s important to have the country know what you think,” Burkert said in a statement.

Eligibility for the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame requires participants to have been born before 1955 and voted in every general election since 1973. Information is verified through the Pennsylvania Department of State, according to a county spokesperson.

Those interested in being considered for Pennsylvania’s Voter Hall of Fame can submit their application to the Montgomery County Office of Voter Services via email at montcovotes@montgomerycountypa.gov or by mail to Montgomery County Voter Services, P.O. Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311.

The county’s voter services office will have additional hours of operation at various satellite offices and access to submit mail-in ballots via drop boxes will begin on April 13. Visit the office’s website for more information at montgomerycountypa.gov/Voter-Services.

A divided 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to uphold enforcement of the required date on return envelopes, a technical mandate that caused thousands of votes to be declared invalid in the 2022 election.

The total number is a small fraction of the large state’s electorate, but the court’s ruling puts additional attention on Pennsylvania’s election procedures ahead of a presidential election in which its Electoral College votes are up for grabs.

A lower court judge had ruled in November that even without the proper dates, mail-in ballots should be counted if they are received in time. That ruling was cited in Montgomery County to allow ballots to be counted that led to a tie in the 2023 Towamencin Township supervisor race between incumbent Republican Rich Marino and Democrat challenger Kofi Osei.

Early results from election day in November had Marino narrowly winning their race, before the court ruling in mid-November allowing misdated ballots led to an updated count with both candidates tied. The two drew lots in a process administered by county officials on Nov. 30, with Osei drawing the winning number.

Marino and his backers subsequently filed a series of challenges to that process ahead of the first supervisors meeting of the new year in January, when Osei was sworn in.

In the November ruling, U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter said the envelope date is irrelevant in helping elections officials decide whether a ballot was received in time or if a voter is qualified.

In this week’s court opinion, Judge Thomas Ambro said the section of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that the lower court relied upon does not pertain to ballot-casting rules broadly, such as dates on envelopes, but “is concerned only with the process of determining a voter’s eligibility to cast a ballot.”

“The Pennsylvania General Assembly has decided that mail-in voters must date the declaration on the return envelope of their ballot to make their vote effective,” Ambro wrote. “The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania unanimously held this ballot-casting rule is mandatory; thus, failure to comply renders a ballot invalid under Pennsylvania law.”

Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija, who also serves as chairman of the county election board, took to social media late Wednesday, expressing his reaction to the latest legal development.

“Today’s 3rd Circuit opinion on undated ballots in Pennsylvania is a terrible decision weakening the Civil Rights Act and potentially disenfranchising *tens of thousands* of duly registered, eligible PA voters in 2024,” Makhija said in a post on X, formally known as Twitter.

“This decision warrants revisiting of state law by the PA Supreme Court,” he continued. “As chair of Board of Elections in PA’s third largest county — we will take every step to reach voters for notice and cure and ensure their ballots are counted.”

Today’s 3rd Circuit opinion on undated ballots in Pennsylvania is a terrible decision weakening the Civil Rights Act and potentially disenfranchising *tens of thousands* of duly registered, eligible PA voters in 2024.

This decision warrants revisiting of state law by the PA… https://t.co/3BWYKH24o7

— Neil Makhija (@NeilMakhija) March 27, 2024

Neither Marino nor Osei immediately replied Thursday to requests for comment.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, which helped represent groups and voters who challenged the date mandate, said the ruling could mean thousands of votes won’t be counted over what it called a meaningless error.

“We strongly disagree with the panel majority’s conclusion that voters may be disenfranchised for a minor paperwork error like forgetting to write an irrelevant date on the return envelope of their mail ballot,” Ari Savitzky, a lawyer with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project who argued the appeal, said in a statement. “We are considering all of our options at this time.”

State and national Republican groups defended the date requirement, and the Republican National Committee called the decision a “crucial victory for election integrity and voter confidence.”

In Pennsylvania, Democrats have been far more likely to vote by mail than Republicans under an expansion of mail-in ballots enacted in 2019.

Reported by Mark Scolforo for The Associated Press and The Reporter staff.

Montgomery County voters have until April 8 to register for the primary election and until April 16 to request a mail-in ballot if they choose to vote by mail. The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, and all mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on election night. Visit vote.pa.gov for more information.

Along with the presidential primary, several congressional and state candidates will be on the ballot. Locally, the Municipality of Norristown will hold a special election where voters will choose a seat left vacant after a candidate was ineligible to take office. Norristown Councilwoman Lauren Hughes, a Democrat has been serving on an interim basis and is running for the seat in the municipality’s fourth district against Republican Antonio Davila.

Relocating 17 polling places and extending hours of operation at area voter services satellite offices in Lansdale, Lower Merion, Norristown, Pottstown, and Willow Grove were at the top of the list. Both actions were ultimately approved by the board.

Election officials cited an upcoming religious holiday as the reason for the relocation of a majority of the polling places, as the primary election falls on Passover. Precincts in Abington, Douglass, East Norriton, Lower Merion, Norristown, Upper Dublin, Upper Merion, Whitemarsh, and Whitpain townships were impacted, according to voter services documents obtained by MediaNews Group.

“This year, Pennsylvania’s primary election takes place over the Jewish holiday of Passover. It was an unfortunate, and frankly, thoughtless decision on the part of the legislature to hold this election on Passover,” said Montgomery County Board of Elections Chairman Neil Makhija.

Makhija stressed the importance of outreach and increasing accessibility to accommodate voters.

“Without these steps, many in the Jewish community would be unable to participate in this year’s primary election,” he said. “With more locations to visit and satellite hours beginning the first weekend of April, we will make sure every voter has access to vote and time to cast their ballots for the primary election.”

Francis Dean, Montgomery County’s director of elections, clarified that voters, political committees as well as the new and old polling places were notified of the changes.

The Montgomery County Office of Voter Services is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St., Norristown. The Norristown-based office will also be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 6, and a drop box will be installed on April 13 in the building’s lobby. It will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends, and 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day, according to a county spokesperson.

Additional satellite offices will be open at the following locations: 421 W. Main Street, Lansdale; 925 Montgomery Ave., Narberth, Lower Merion Township; 364 King St., Pottstown; and 102 N. York Road, Willow Grove.

Weekend satellite office hours will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lansdale locations will also be available on April 6, April 13 and April 14. The Lower Merion Township locations will be open on April 6, April 7 and April 14. The Pottstown location will be open on April 7 and April 13. The Willow Grove office will be open on April 7, April 13 and April 14.

“The satellite offices are great options for voters who wish to cast their ballot early without receiving or sending their ballot in the mail,” said Montgomery County Board of Elections Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder in a statement.

While the polling place item was unanimous, Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello expressed some reservations about the “cost for extended hours” and was the sole dissenting vote on that item that passed 2-1.

County officials also noted that 11 drop boxes will be available 24 hours per day starting on April 13 until the polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.

• Cheltenham: Township Tax Office, 8230 Old York Rd, Elkins Park

• Lansdale: District Court 38-1-28, 430 Pennbrook Pkwy., Lansdale

• Lower Merion: Ludington Library, 5 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr

• Norristown: Airy Street Parking Lot, at the corner of Airy and DeKalb streets, Norristown

• Pottstown: Montgomery County Health Clinic, 364 King St., Pottstown

• Royersford: Victory Park Parking Lot, intersection of Second and Arch streets, Royersford

• Skippack: Montgomery County 4H Center, 1015 Bridge Road, Collegeville

• Upper Dublin: Upper Dublin Library, 520 Virginia Drive, Fort Washington

• Upper Frederick: Green Lane Park Office, 2144 Snyder Road, Green Lane

• Upper Merion: Upper Merion Township Building, 175 W. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia

• Upper Moreland: Willow Grove Annex, 102 N. York Road, Willow Grove

Call the Montgomery County Office of Voter Services at 610-278-3280 or visit montgomerycountypa.gov/VoterServices for more information about the 2024 election in Montgomery County.

Biden was dressed casually in a sweater and was in high spirits as he rallied an audience of Democratic stalwarts.

The first couple was introduced by small business owner Chichi Ilonzo Momah, owner of Springfield Pharmacy.

“I am passionate for advocating for the best care for the patients of Delaware County. We are Delco strong,” she said. “I was inspired by the American dream.”

Momah said heath care advocates have an ally in Joe Biden.

After Momah introduced the first lady, both she and the president came out to wild applause.

Jill Biden advocated for her husband before tearing into former president and presumed Republican nominee Donald Trump.

She criticized Trump for his belittling of the late U.S. Sen. John McCain and other veterans in the past.

President Biden then spoke, reviewing many of the points from Thursday’s State of the Union.

“Folks, your freedoms are really on the ballot this November. Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans are trying to take away our freedoms. That is not an exaggeration,” Biden said. “But guess what, we will not let him.”

Biden blamed Trump for the recent controversies involving in vitro fertilization and the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

“He bragged about it repeatedly … He got his wish and states are passing bans, criminalizing doctors, forcing rape and incest victims to leave the state to get care,” said Biden.

Biden touted his efforts on heath care, including Medicare lowering the cost of insulin.

Supporters cheered “Four more years,” as Biden spoke and called for capping the cost of insulin for all Americans.

Biden said he was again running for president for three reasons: To restore the soul of America, to rebuild the middle class and to unite the country.

“They are still my goals. They are still my goals,” Biden said.

Faithful wait for the prez

Folks began lining up for the event about 1:30 p.m. as they made their way through credential and security lines.

Jason Kutz of Bethel said he was coming no matter what.

“(After) Last night, I’m kind of ready to run through a brick wall for President Biden,” Kutz said. “I’m really excited to hear what he has to say.”

Also in attendance was Michelle Slaven of Wallingford, a teacher at Ardmore Avenue Elementary School in Lansdowne, who said she was able to get a ticket through her union.

“I thought the State of the Union was great, really builds up our energy and we’re moving forward from here,” she said.

Asked what could help Biden in the polls, Slaven said the president needs to keep the energy up and focus on the issues.

“I think it would be good to go places where people are a little undecided and invite people who are on the fence,” she said. “He’s got my vote. He may not have other so focus on them.”

One group that didn’t support Biden was along Providence Road in front of the middle school protesting the war in Gaza.

“Genocide Joe has got to go,” they chanted along with other calls in support of the Palestinians.

A truck drove up the road with a Trump 2024 flag flying while another flag could be seen in the front drive of this liberal community.

Dem politicos there, too

Flying in with Biden on Air Force One was Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.

“We are excited to welcome President Biden back to Delco after the success of last night’s State of the Union speech,” Scanlon said. “The Biden Administration’s historic investments in our community are fixing roads and bridges, creating record numbers of good American jobs, and lowering costs for all Pennsylvanians. Delco elects presidents, and we’re looking forward to working together to send President Biden back to the White House in November.”

State Sen. John Kane said the visit is a win for Delaware County.

“It’s nice to go from DC to Delco, I love it,” Kane said.

Asked why many blue collar voters don’t support the president personally, despite the heavy union support, he referred to Biden’s State of the Union speech.

“He mentioned Wall Street didn’t build this country, blue collar people did and Delco is a blue collar county,” he said. “He’s not going to get all the endorsements but he will get most, I can assure you that.”

One group that would have liked to be inside but didn’t get tickets were four Strath Haven High School seniors who were talking to police officers.

Andrew Deppen, Samuel Fritz, Zane Malarkey and William Hall were waiting to see the president go by.

“I was disappointed they couldn’t get more students in there,” said Fritz.

“It’s really super cool. I can’t believe that there are all these Secret Service and trucks here, so it’s pretty crazy,” Malarkey added.

Nether Providence police and officers from across the county had their hands full dealing with traffic and all the excitement.

Nether Prov Police Chief David Splain was working with the Secret Service as they monitored protesters.

Asked how things are going he said, ”You have to talk to the Secret Service.”

Makhija, who also serves as chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Elections, attended a voting rights roundtable on Tuesday at The White House, according to a Montgomery County spokesperson.

“The 2024 election will test the strength of our democratic system even more than the unprecedented election of 2020. Burnout and fear could set off a looming poll worker crisis, in addition to all the continued threats of voter suppression and disinformation,” Makhija said in a statement.

Hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris, the event focused on engagement, accessibility and protecting voter rights. Harris shared a number of initiatives aimed at expanding voter registration efforts, including having federal agencies provide voter registration information and paying college students to register voters and work at polling places, according to a county spokesperson.

“Here in Pennsylvania’s third largest county, we are embracing measures that increase accessibility and protect the right to vote,” Makhija said. “This includes ensuring that everyone who wants to vote is registered and can get their ballot in on time, as well as making sure our polling locations are running smoothly.”

Montgomery County has roughly 2,500 poll workers participating through a high school student poll worker recruitment program, according to a county spokesperson. County officials intend to partner with local colleges and universities to encourage outreach and participation efforts related to the Federal Work Study Program. It’s unclear when it will formally take effect.

“Young people are excited to be engaged in the democratic process, and to have them employed in this way is a win-win for democracy,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder in a statement. “We want people to register to vote, we want them to find it easy to register to vote, and we want young people to be excited about being a part of that process.”