Recently, discussions have surfaced about the potential relocation of the Northampton Township 12 polling place from Churchville Elementary School. This decision could greatly affect voter turnout and accessibility, given that Northampton Township 12 has had its polling place relocated three of the last four elections. This move would represent the fourth such relocation of this district, which has had a stable polling place for over 30 years. Unlike the previous relocations, however, there seems to be no justification for its relocation this time.

As the Judge of Elections, I see voters come in and out of polling places each Election Day, and I have a front row seat to democracy in action. Northampton Township 12 moved from Ohev Shalom of Bucks County to Churchville Elementary School first because of an Election Day conflict with Passover in 2024, then due to financial reasons of the former in 2025. The district has voted at Ohev Shalom for the preceding 30 years.

With thousands of registered voters in the district, many local residents depend on the familiarity and convenience of a stable polling place. Relocating it a fourth time in five elections would add unnecessary hurdles to voting, forcing residents to travel to one place, experience the confusion and/or frustration of finding out the polling place moved, and having to find the new spot. This leads to increased voter agitation and could potentially disenfranchise some voters.

We are petitioning the Bucks County Board of Elections to abandon its proposal to change Northampton Township 12's polling place from Churchville Elementary School.