Officials discuss South Side on-demand voting center after long university lines

Northampton County leaders and residents urged steps to reduce long lines at university-area polling places and discussed creating an on-demand voting office on Bethlehem's South Side, speakers said at the Feb. 18 meeting of the county Elections Commission.

County Executive Lamont McClure praised the county's election staff while pressing the commission to consider a resolution to establish a South Side on-demand voting office for the 2025 general election. "I am here, to celebrate that once again, Northampton County put on a legal, fair, and accurate election," McClure said, then added that long, unmanageable lines at university locations warranted action: a South Side voting center would "give the folks in that part of the county who experienced those long lines an opportunity to vote early," he said.

Lehigh University student and Bethlehem resident Jack C. I. Blum supported McClure's proposal and urged the commission to explore placing a polling location on Lehigh's campus and adding a ballot drop-off or on-demand site in South Bethlehem. "Having a new location for Bethlehem's Third Ward with Lehigh will be an excellent way to not only engage the student population in Northampton politics," Blum said, and offered to help the county secure campus space.

Registrar Chris (registrar, Northampton County) clarified terminology and logistics for the commission. "In Northampton County in Pennsylvania, there is no such thing as early voting," Chris said, explaining the county provides on-demand balloting (completing a mail-in ballot in the registrar's office and submitting it immediately). Chris said the county sent a 90-day election grant report on Feb. 3 and expects a post-primary audit by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). He also gave administrative dates: candidate petition circulation began Feb. 18 and runs through March 11; the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is May 13 at 5 p.m.; and Election Day is May 20. Chris said polling-place updates are tentative and listed several location changes under review, including efforts to replace the Banana Factory site, outreach about the Rooney Building, and returning to a renovated Allen Township firehouse.

Speakers acknowledged capacity and staffing constraints for any new on-demand center. Chris said a secure location, staffing and coordination with the sheriff's office would be necessary and that creating a walk-in site beyond the registrar's office would "probably not" happen immediately. Blum suggested additional voting machines could help; he referenced "320 machines, 310 of which were deployed," but prefaced that he "could be wrong with that number."

Solicitor Mike (county solicitor) summarized litigation matters connected to the recent election. He said a recount-related suit was filed and later withdrawn and that a long-running case brought by the NAACP about a mail-in ballot date requirement went to the Third Circuit; the U.S. Supreme Court declined review. "So at this point on the federal side, there is no longer... pending or open litigation and the date requirement remains constitutional and remains in enforce," he said, adding the county will continue to require a date on mail-in envelopes until changed by a court or other authority.

Formal commission business at the meeting was limited. The commission approved the Nov. 19, 2024 minutes by voice vote after a motion and second (exact mover not specified; the second was provided during the meeting). The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The registrar said a probable post-election canvass timeline and the next Election Commission meeting date will follow; Chris said June 3 is the next scheduled meeting for canvass-related matters. Commissioners and the registrar discussed drafting steps and possible funding or administrative requests to pursue an on-demand South Side location between now and June.

Ending: The commission did not take formal action to create a South Side voting center at the Feb. 18 meeting; members discussed options, potential locations and staffing, and asked staff to explore feasibility and possible next steps before the June canvass meeting.