Republicans Seek To Restrict Ballot Drop Box Hours In Montgomery Co.

NEW HANOVER TOWNSHIP, PA — As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Republicans in Montgomery County are seeking to limit the operating hours of ballot drop boxes over security concerns.

Montgomery County Republican Committee Chair Liz Ferry addressed the Board of Commissioners last week over the issue, arguing that keeping the boxes open overnight without oversight was an unnecessary risk.

"We believe that establishing reasonable hours of operation would provide voters with continued access to ballot drop boxes while also allowing for more effective oversight and helping to ensure that all voters have confidence in the security and integrity of the election process," Ferry said.

See related: Mail-In Ballots Sent Out In Montgomery County For 2026 Midterms

Ferry acknowledged the security cameras in place at the drop boxes, but argued that it's not the same as having security personnel in place. She also argued that the positioning of the cameras does not provide a clear view of the entire area.

The impacts of restricted hours, she argued, would be minimal. Observer volunteers during the 2024 election saw 14 different drop box locations across the county where no ballots were deposited between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

It comes amid ongoing concerns from Republicans over the "chain of custody" of ballots left at drop boxes. In counties like Montgomery County where most leading officials are Democrats, Republican observers are often not present during the transfer of ballots from boxes to

Concerns over "harvesting" of ballots have also lingered since videos from Upper Dublin in 2021 appeared to show one individual dropping off several ballots.

The 2026 election will have 18 drop boxes available for 47 days, for a total of 1,742 observation hours. That marks a significant increase since drop boxes were introduced with the expansion of mail-in voting in 2021.

Montco Democrats have long insisted that drop boxes are secure and that longer operating hours offer opportunities to enfranchise more voters.