Lycoming County commissioners on Thursday approved reimbursement to Montoursville Borough for accessibility upgrades to the borough building used as a polling place, and election officials said sample ballots and mail ballots for the Nov. 2025 election will begin to go out this week.

Why it matters: The county is carrying out a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that requires bringing more than 70 facilities into ADA compliance for voting. The Montoursville Borough work included regrading and new concrete to create a van‑accessible parking stall, repainted designation, and sidewalk work to provide an accessible path of travel; the borough sought $13,250 in reimbursement under an earlier county agreement.

Commission action: County staff said the reimbursement was requested pursuant to an agreement approved by the commissioners in April. The board moved and approved the reimbursement request by voice vote.

Elections timeline: County elections staff told the board that sample ballots would be available at voter services beginning the next day, and that mail ballots for voters who requested them will be mailed starting this week and continuing into next week. The elections presenter cautioned that a backlog occurs 30 days out from an election as mailings are processed, but said voters who applied for a mail ballot should expect to receive ballots by late next week.

Additional context: County staff reminded residents that third‑party groups sometimes mail voter forms and applications that did not originate from the county; an elections official urged residents to check the sender on any unsolicited election mail. The county emphasized it will only send applications when a resident requests one directly from voter services.

The board completed the item with the reimbursement approved; staff said the county will continue auditing other polling locations as part of the DOJ settlement work to ensure accessible polling places for future elections.