Board approves precinct relocations; West Goshen residents raise ADA, parking and access concerns

The Chester County Board of Elections voted Oct. 3 to approve Resolution BOE 6 25 authorizing multiple polling‑place and precinct‑sheet changes, but several West Goshen residents urged the board and staff to address accessibility and parking before Election Day.

Chair Josh Maxwell introduced the resolution and the board passed it by voice vote. Director Karen Barsoom described the decision as a mitigation for this municipal election: "That is the mitigation for this election," she said, explaining that Trinity Assembly Church recently added recurring events that conflict with scheduled voting and prompted a temporary move to Pierce Middle School.

Residents who spoke in public comment said Pierce Middle School’s configuration could create access challenges. Felice Fine (West Goshen) asked whether there would be enough handicap parking and noted that Pierce is already the largest precinct in the township: "...there's over 4,600 voters that could potentially go there," she said, and asked the county to consider Greystone Elementary for a future realignment. West Goshen residents Nancy Wills and Nancy Lorbach reiterated concerns about parking proximity to the polling entrance and the distance some voters would have to walk inside the school, and said they would help recruit volunteers and create maps to direct voters.

Barsoom said the county will restart conversations with Trinity Assembly Church and the school district and will explore temporary accommodations such as additional ADA voter‑parking signage in coordination with the school; she also said staff will evaluate Greystone Elementary as a longer‑term solution. The county intends to mail household notices of the polling‑place changes after the meeting and update online resources and QR codes.

Other precinct adjustments Barsoom listed included moving Precinct 190 from Downingtown Borough Hall to Messiah Lutheran Church while construction continues at borough hall; returning Lincoln University precincts to the International Cultural Center after a temporary move; and returning Spring City precincts to Spring City Elementary School after construction concluded.

Speakers at the meeting and in public comment asked about notification methods. Barsoom said the county will mail notices immediately after the meeting and that the county does not currently send polling‑location change email alerts; she suggested adding that capability as part of the state’s voter‑registration system upgrade.

Action taken: Resolution BOE 6 25 authorizing the precinct‑sheet/polling‑place changes was approved by voice vote. The board directed staff to mail notices and to follow up on ADA signage and evaluation of alternative sites.

Speakers quoted or relied on in this story appear in the meeting record and include Director Karen Barsoom and public commenters Felice Fine and Nancy Wills.