Montgomery Co Primary Voter's Guide 2023: Who's Running, Where To Vote

NORRISTOWN, PA — The 2023 primary election is here, with major races in Norristown and across Montgomery County on the ballot.

Polls will be open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you're planning on voting in-person and are not sure where to go to vote, you can find your polling place here.

Here's what you need to know.

Big races on the ballot

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners is undergoing a period of transformation on both sides of the aisle. Incumbent Republican Joe Gale is facing an uprising from his own party, and incumbent Democrat Ken Lawrence is retiring from his post after seven years of service. Meanwhile, recently-installed Democrat Jamila Winder has only been in office for a year and has several Democratic challengers.

See related: Most Contentious Montco Commissioners Primary In Years Taking Shape

The only other contested primary at the county level is the register of wills. Democrats Tina Lawson of Upper Dublin and Hilary Fuelleborn of Jenkintown will face off to determine who will face Republican Cheryl Bonavita of Franconia in the general election.

One seat on the Pennsylvania state Supreme Court is up for grabs, and both Democrats and Republicans have several candidates lined up. In November, the winner will be the best way to take the political pulse of the state ahead of 2024. Two Democrats are running, Deborah Kunselman and Daniel D. McCaffery, as well as two Republicans, Patricia McCullough and Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio. Democrats currently have a 4-2 majority on the seven-person board.

There are no statewide referendums or ballot questions in this year's primary.

Election security

Law enforcement in Montgomery County are preparing for the upcoming primary election, laying out this week to the public their plan to protect voters and the legitimacy of the eleciton.

See more: Montco DA, Detectives Prepare To Respond To Primary Election Fraud

The District Attorney’s Office and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau have established a special election tip line, and they're urging residents to be watchful for anyone attempting to vandalize ballot drop boxes, do anything suspicious surrounding the boxes or polling places.

“I want to reassure Montgomery County residents that we will use all means tomake 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 between now and May 16,” First Assistant District Attorney Edward F. McCann Jr. said in a statement. “If the facts and evidence warrant it, we will prosecute anyone who attempts to interfere with this election.”

In addition, the county has allocated a special team of prosecutors and detectives to answer complaints, allegations of fraud, and any other "irregularities."

While these preparations occur at the county level before each election, activities undertaken to protect basic democratic processes have been under a microscope since related unstability wracked the nation in 2020.

Sample ballot

If you want to see exactly what you'll see on your ballot, Montgomery County Voter Services offers sample ballots for each precinct online here.

If you're voting by mail

Voting by mail was available to all Pennsylvania voters prior to Election Day.
Ballots are due back to a designated ballot drop-off location by 8 p.m. Tuesday night. Most counties have drop boxes set up around the county, and also accept ballots at elections offices.

If you still haven't received your mail-in ballot and Election Day arrives, you can also vote via a provisional ballot at the polls. The provisional ballot will become your official vote once elections officials determine they have not received your mail-in ballot.

RELATED: Montco To Install 12 Mail-In Ballot Drop Off Boxes For Election

The box locations are listed below:

Cheltenham
Township Tax Office
8230 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027

Lansdale
District Court 38-1-28
430 Pennbrook Parkway, Lansdale, PA 19446

Lower Merion
Ludington Library
5 South Bryn Mawr Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Norristown – Airy Street Lot
Montgomery County Airy Street Parking Lot
Corner of Airy and DeKalb Streets, Norristown, PA 19401

Norristown – One Montgomery Plaza
425 Swede Street, Norristown PA, 19401
Starting May 6, 2023, this drop box will be available on the following schedule:

Weekdays: 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Election Day: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Pottstown
Montgomery County Office of Public Health
South Hall, 364 King Street, Pottstown, PA 19464

Royersford
2nd & Arch St Parking Lot
Victory Park Parking Lot, 251 2nd Street, Royersford, PA 19468 (near the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, home of the Royersford Farmer’s Market)

Skippack
Montgomery County 4H Center
1015 Bridge Road, Collegeville, PA 19474

Upper Dublin
Upper Dublin Library
520 Virginia Drive, Fort Washington, PA 19034

Upper Frederick
Green Lane Park Office
2144 Snyder Road, Green Lane, PA 18054

Upper Merion
Upper Merion Township Building
175 W. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406

Upper Moreland
Willow Grove Annex
102 N York Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090

Voter Services Satellite Offices will be available during the following days and times:

Lansdale County Office
421 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA 19446
Available on Saturday April 29, 2023, and Sunday May 7, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Magisterial District Judges Office of Lower Merion
925 Montgomery Avenue, Narberth, PA 19072
Available on Sunday April 30, 2023, and Saturday May 6, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Montgomery County Office of Public Health Pottstown
364 King Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
Available on Saturday, April 29, 2023, and Sunday May 7, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Willow Grove Annex
102 N. York Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090
Available on Sunday April 30, 2023, and Saturday May 6, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Norristown: Voter Services Office
One Montgomery Plaza – 6th Floor
425 Swede Street, Norristown, PA 19401
Available Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Saturday April 29, 2023, and Sunday May 7, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Voter rights

If you are heading in-person to a polling place, it's important to know your rights, and what is and is not legal in your encounters with poll workers.You are not required to show identification, according to Pennsylvania law, unless you have never voted at that precinct in the past.

Only voters who have never voted at that precinct before are required to show identification, according to Pennsylvania law. That identification does not have to be photo identification, but it must contain your name and address.

Just because your name is not in the poll book, does not mean you are not registered to vote. Voting officials should call the county board of elections to confirm your status.