Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
Tuesday smashed the record for turnout for an odd-year election cycle, as residents have become much more engaged in local politics. NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County smashed its record for voter turnout in an odd-year election on Tuesday, marking a drastic increase in participation over recent years. A total of 307,840 votes were cast across the county Tuesday, compared to 2023's 253,358 votes and 2021's 224,906 votes. More impressively, it was also a significantly higher percentage of voters which turned out in this election cycle, with 49.79 of all of the county's registered voters casting ballots. That's up from about 42 percent in 2023, 37 percent in 2021 and 2019, and 31 percent in 2017. Without a doubt, Montgomery County has become significantly more invested in municipal elections and the local political process in the past decade. Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija also pointed to efforts made by county elections officials to make voting easier. “These record numbers show that when we remove barriers and build trust, voters respond," Makhija said. "From doubling drop boxes to offering weekend voting hours and bringing our Voter Van to communities across the county, we’re ensuring that every eligible voter can make their voice heard." Montgomery County's near 50-percent voter turnout was also the highest in southeastern Pennsylvania, outstripping Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware counties. "Unlike places that make voting harder, we’re showing that when you invest in voters, they show up," Makhija added. "This is what a strong, responsive democracy looks like.” The increase in voter turnout comes a year after a 2024 presidential election resulted in a lower percentage turnout than 2020, despite the pandemic. 2024 also showed significant gains for President Trump in Montgomery County and around Democratic strongholds in southeastern Pennsylvania. Trump went on to win the state convincingly. A year later, resounding Democratic victories are being seen as a referendum on the first year of his second term. Democrats swept nearly all major contested races in Montgomery County on Tuesday, including massive margins in victory in some races that were expected to be close. Hard-fought school board campaigns in district like North Penn and Wissahickon resulted in Democrats winning by thousands of votes, while Democratic mayors won in Lansdale, Ambler, Collegeville, Conshohocken, and Pottstown by large amounts. In the meantime, Montgomery County will continue to count provisional ballots and overseas and military ballots until Nov. 12. The county's Board of Elections will meet on Friday to verify the results, including a final tabulation of votes and reconciliation of any contested votes. The county will review provisional ballots on Nov. 10, and the Voter Services board will conduct a full audit of the election. All results remain unofficial until they are certified by the Pennsylvania Department of State. The county will submit final results to the state by Nov. 24, at the latest.
