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Delaware County board approves multiple polling-place changes, transfers equipment and waives one finance penalty
Summary
After public comment on accessibility and neutrality, the Delaware County Board of Elections voted to move several polling places (including Parkside and two Darby precincts), approved other temporary site moves, authorized transfer of decommissioned surveillance equipment to East Lansdowne Police, and waived a campaign finance filing fee.
The Delaware County Board of Elections on April 11 approved a set of changes to polling locations and several administrative items after extended public comment about safety, accessibility and neutrality at some sites.
Board members voted 2–1 to direct staff to move the Parkside precinct from the Parkside Fire Company to Parkside Elementary School “when circumstances permit,” following a petition and competing public testimony about intimidation, accessibility and the firehouse’s long use as a polling place. Director of Elections James Allen presented warehouse surveys and recommended the school as meeting Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and offering more parking.
The board also voted 2–1 to move Darby Borough precincts 21 and 22 from Penwood (William Penn) Middle School to the Darby Recreation/Community Center. Board staff said the middle school’s gym required staff guidance to help voters navigate long interior corridors and an uneven elevation; the recreation center was surveyed as closer to street-level entrances and easier parking.
Separately the board approved, by voice vote, a block of additional primary-era site adjustments for Chester City, Marcus Hook, Aston and Radnor precincts (motion carried; tally 3–0). Those moves were presented as site-availability responses (roof repairs, school schedules, graduation and other logistical conflicts) and described as either temporary or adopted for the May primary.
On other administrative items the board approved the repurposing/transfer of a decommissioned camera pole, battery and solar panel originally used at a removed drop-box site to the East Lansdowne Police Department (unanimous voice approval); and the board granted a campaign finance waiver for Angela Salmons (Upper Chichester Democratic Committee) because of documented family illness (motion carried 3–0). The county also posted a current “failure to file” campaign finance list outside the Bureau of Elections office, staff said.
Why it matters: The decisions affect where thousands of voters will cast ballots in the May primary and how the bureau will communicate changes. Director Allen said approved moves will be posted in the voter database and new voter cards mailed to affected registrants; staff also said they will coordinate with school or municipal facility managers to confirm logistics and timing.
Public comment and staff response: Supporters of moving Parkside emphasized claims of a ‘‘nonneutral’’ atmosphere at the firehouse and cited crowding, signage and a bench incident that made some voters uncomfortable. Opponents — including Parkside Fire Company leaders and longtime poll workers — said the fire company has hosted elections for decades, offers multiple accessible entrances and provides on-site medical assistance and volunteer help. School-district counsel Michael Pupio asked for additional time for the district to vet and schedule use of school facilities; the board’s motion allowed staff discretion to confirm the school’s availability before a final transfer for the May primary.
Votes at a glance - Move Parkside precinct to Parkside Elementary when circumstances permit — motion approved (yes 2, no 1). - Move Darby Borough precincts 21 & 22 to Darby Recreation/Community Center — motion approved (yes 2, no 1). - Additional primary-time site moves (Chester City 12 & 18 to Hunt’s Haven; Marcus Hook 1 to Kurt Walden Community Center; Aston 1 to Brooder Gymnasium at Neumann University; Radnor 5.2 to a nearby JCHAI site) — motion approved (yes 3, no 0). - Transfer camera pole/battery/solar panel to East Lansdowne Police Department — approved (voice). - Waiver of campaign finance filing fee for Angela Salmons (Upper Chichester Democratic Committee) — approved (yes 3, no 0).
What happens next: Staff said they will update the voter database and issue mailed notice cards showing new polling locations for affected voters. For moves described as subject to “circumstances” (Parkside), staff will confirm facility availability and any operational constraints before making the change effective; the board retained final authority if the facility owner objects.
No litigation outcomes or legal stays were imposed on the board’s actions; board counsel reiterated that the board must follow any court-ordered stays if and when issued.
