Monroe County to argue for splitting Middle Smithfield, Tunkhannock election precincts
On Monday, Monroe County will petition the Court of Common Pleas to split Middle Smithfield Township's two election precincts and Tunkhannock Township's one precinct.
According to the proposals, Middle Smithfield Township would go from two precincts to four, and Tunkhannock Township would go from one precinct to two.
The Board of Elections discussed the petition during its October meeting.
“And the goal of this, obviously, is to make us consistent as possible, the number of voters that vote in a particular precinct, to cut down on lines, time involved in casting one’s vote, etcetera,” said outgoing Monroe County Commissioner John Moyer at that meeting, which Monroe County Director of Elections/Voter Registration Sara May-Silfee agreed with.
The four proposed polling places in Middle Smithfield Township are St. John’s Church, the municipal building, the Middle Smithfield Presbyterian Church and the community center.
The two proposed polling places in Tunkhannock Township are the municipal building and the fire station.
“Well, first I’d have to go for a court hearing, and then, once the court hearing is set, then I’d post notices in the township," said May-Silfee when asked by Moyer what needs to be done to notify voters if approved. “And then, we go for our hearing, if it’s approved, then every voter will get a notice, a new ID card noting that they have a new polling place if they do. Some may not.”
Middle Smithfield currently has 5,637 registered voters in its east precinct and 4,974 in the west. Tunkhannock Township has 4,450 registered voters.
“The way the statute is written, the court really, actually doesn’t have to have a hearing, but that’s what traditionally has happened,” said Board of Elections Solicitor John Dunn. “It says that you can file a petition, then you’ll have to post the notice, then the court has to wait a certain period of time, and if they want, they can just sign the order, but historically, they’ve issued an order for a hearing.”
Dunn also mentioned a part of the statute that says objections to the petition should be filed with the Court of Common Pleas any time before the hearing.
The hearing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Monday at the Monroe County Courthouse.
Max Augugliaro is the public safety and government watchdog reporter at the Pocono Record. Reach him at MAugugliaro@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Court to consider splitting 3 Monroe County precincts
