Montgomery County Election Board swears in tabulators and begins municipal primary tabulation

The Montgomery County Election Board on May 23 swore in tabulators and voted to begin the tabulation and reconciliation of in-person ballots from the May municipal primary. Chair Neil Mateja made the motion to commence tabulation, which Commissioner Taco Bello seconded; the motion passed and the board administered the oath to tabulators before work began.

The oath given and repeated included commitments to “support, obey, and defend the constitution of this Commonwealth and of the United States,” and a statement that oath takers had not paid or accepted money or other valuables to procure their appointment and would accept only compensation allowed by law. The oath also referenced the court of common pleas as a component of the legal framework for appointments.

Mateja said the county had “another successful election” that had “gone off without any major hitch” and estimated turnout at “at least a 160,000,” adding the exact number would be known after the tabulation and reconciliation work is complete. He explained tabulators would reconcile ballots, process provisional and returned ballots, and adjudicate any write-in votes as part of the official tabulation.

Commissioner Bello thanked tabulators and voter services staff for their work and urged continued service in future elections, saying without their help the process would “go on for months.” Commissioner Jamila Weiner, participating by Zoom, also thanked staff and volunteers. A Zoom participant identified as Mr. Winder offered brief public thanks to the workers.

There were no public commenters who raised issues or objections recorded during the meeting. After the oath and the vote to begin tabulation, the board adjourned.

The immediate next steps are the county’s tabulation and reconciliation process and the formal announcement of final results once tabulators complete their duties and the board confirms totals.