Montgomery County Voter Guide 2020: What To Know Before Election

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — The historic 2020 election is now underway in Pennsylvania and around the country, as Montgomery County elections officials have already received tens of thousands of mail-in ballots. An unprecedented number of mail-in ballots are being processed, mailed out, and returned in the county amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But polls will still be open on Election Day, Nov. 3, and based on the number of ballots processed thus far in Montgomery County, at least half of all voters may be choosing to vote in-person.

>>235,000 Ballots Now Mailed Out In Montco: Latest Election Updates

Here's a glance at what you'll find on your ballot in Montgomery County.

For U.S. Congress in Pennsylvania's 4th District, political newcomer and national conservative commentator Kathy Barnette is mounting a challenge to sitting U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, the longtime state representative from Abington.

While the 4th covers most of Montgomery County, a small chunk around the Lansdale and Hatfield area will vote in the 1st Congressional District race between incumbent Republican Brian Fitzpatrick and challenging Democrat Christina Finello.

Meanwhile in the state senate, the 17th seat long belonged to current Democratic Sen. Daylin Leach. But Leach, an 11-year veteran of the General Assembly, was defeated in the primary by Amanda Cappelletti, a 33-year-old East Norriton Township Supervisor. She's opposed in the general election by Republican Ellen Fisher, a local businesswoman and board member on the Haverford Township School District Education Foundation. The 17th covers a significant chunk of the local area, including Norristown, Plymouth, Lower Merion, West Conshohocken, Whitpain, Upper Merion, Narberth, Haverford, and Radnor.

>>PA 2020 Election Guide: How To Vote, Who's On The Ballot

There are many state legislature seats up for election this year in Montgomery County. Here's an overview of some key races. The bolded legislators are incumbents:

• State Rep. 53rd District - Steve Malagari vs. Alan Arnott
• State Rep. 151st District - Jonathan Kassa vs. Todd Stephens
• State Rep. 61st District - Liz Hanbidge vs. Florence Friebel
• State Rep. 70th District - Matt Bradford vs. James Saring
• State Rep. 148th District - Mary Jo Daley vs. Allen Anderson
• State Rep. 150th District - Joe Webster vs. Beth Ann Mazza
• State Rep. 152nd District - Nancy Guenst vs. Karen Houck vs. John Weinrich

Of course, the race that has sparked the most passion is between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. In Pennsylvania, Democrats were successful in kicking the Green Party off the ballot, meaning left-leaning voters have the option of Biden or a write-in. The only other name to appear on the ballot for president in Pennsylvania is Libertarian Jo Jorgensen. Jorgensen does not have nearly the support in polls that Libertarian Gary Johnson did in 2016. Johnson won 145,000 votes in Pennsylvania four years ago, good for 2.4 percent of the vote, while the Green Party's Jill Stein won about 50,000, or 0.4 percent.

In state races, incumbent Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro is being challenged by Republican Heather Heidelbaugh, a Pittsburgh attorney, Green Party candidate Richard Weiss, and Libertarian Daniel Wassmer. For auditor general, Democrat Nina Ahmad faces Republican Timothy DeFoor, Green Olivia Faison, and Libertarian Jennifer Moore. For state treasurer, Democrat Joe Torsella will face Republican Stacy Garrity, Green Timothy Runkle, and Libertarian Joe Soloski.

Voting in person

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Pennsylvania.

Montgomery County has published an updated list of polling places for the Nov. 3 general election. Some polling places have changed due to the pandemic.

A full list of local polling places, including the one location that has changed, is included here.

Health precautions will be in place at polling locations in Montgomery County, including social distancing floor tape, hand sanitizer, masks and gloves for poll workers, and more. Masks are required inside polling places.

Voting by mail

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27.

You can choose to return your mail-in ballot through the US Postal Service, by simply dropping it in your local mail box.

You can also drop your ballot in one of 11 drop-boxes located around Montgomery County.

Alternatively, you can return your ballot at a voter services satellite office. There are now five such offices open in Montgomery County.

For full coverage of the 2020 election in Pennsylvania, go here.