WILLOW GROVE — A mobile outreach van designed to increase voter engagement ahead of the 2024 General Election was unveiled on Saturday at Abington Township’s Fall Festival.
The Montgomery County Office of Voter Service’s mobile outreach van, also known as the “Voter Services Mobile Satellite Office” was situated inside Crestmont Park at 2595 Rubicam Ave.
Along with voter services staff, Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder and Vice Chairman Neil Makhija attended the festival, where they engaged with constituents and answered questions ahead of the November election.
“The Voter Services van is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania,” according to a Montgomery County spokesperson. “Montgomery County’s goal is to engage and educate citizens with information on voter registration, mail-in ballots, secure ballot drop box locations, election day polling locations, and other commonly asked questions.”
Montgomery County’s voter services office eyes mobile outreach vehicle
A $145,600 agreement with Whitmoyer Auto Group of Mount Joy, Lancaster County, authorized in August procured an “outreach van with upfitting” to increase voter engagement. The initiative was split among party lines. While Makhija and Winder, both Democrats, were in favor of it, Republican Commissioner Tom DiBello voted against the purchase.
“I don’t understand why we’re moving forward with this. It’s a large expenditure item for something quite honestly I feel we don’t need,” DiBello said during an August county commissioners meeting.
Winder countered, asserting that the initiative increases accessibility in the weeks leading up to the 2024 general election.
“The thought of being able to go to nursing homes, or the thought of being able to go to college campuses, and a wide range of community events, I think is the right thing for us to do,” she said.
Engagement measures were being ramped up in Montgomery County nearly a month before Election Day. Voters are able to cast their ballots by mail, absentee ballot or in person at the polls. Montgomery County’s drop boxes and satellite offices opened on Friday, Oct. 4.
“Election Day starts today, and it’s every day until Nov. 5,” Makhija said during a Sept. 17 press conference detailing preparation and security measures related to the 2024 general election.
Officials anticipate high voter turnout. September figures from the Pennsylvania Department of State recorded more than 600,000 people registered to vote in Montgomery County. 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 former President Donald
Trump and President Joe Biden.
Voters have until Oct. 21 to register to vote and those voting by mail need to request their mail-in ballot by Oct. 29. 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. All ballots must be returned by the time the polls close, at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Visit the county’s voter services website at montcovotes.com for more information.
