In this 2020 file image, some 16,000 mail-in ballots missing information were sent to Montgomery County voters. (Credit: Ben Hasty – MediaNews Group)
Residents can report suspicious activity via tip line of 610-292-2024.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced measures to make sure the upcoming election on Nov. 5, 2024, is fair and safe, including an Election Tip Line of 610-292-2024 to report any suspicious activity around the ballot drop boxes, at polls on Election Day or threats to election and public officials. Tips can include suspicious activity at ballot drop boxes, at polling locations on Election Day or threats to election officials or public officials.
If any resident sees something of an exigent nature related to the drop boxes such as someone attempting to break into a ballot drop box, vandalizing or damaging a drop box or otherwise doing something criminal, they should immediately call 911, then report it to the Election Tip Line of 610-292-2024. If a resident sees any suspicious activity around the ballot boxes, suspicious activity at a polling place or knows of any threat to a public or election official, they should report that information to the Election Tip Line.
Montgomery County Detectives will review tips for potential criminal activity or possible violations of the election code. Any threat reports will be referred to the Montgomery County Detective Bureau’s newly launched Threat Assessment Management Unit. The Threat Assessment Management Unit is charged with investigating any threats against public officials, election officials, schools, houses of worship and any activity that endangers the community at large and individuals within the county.
“To anyone thinking about disrupting this election in any way, I’m here to tell you that my office, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and the entire Montgomery County law enforcement community, is standing together to make sure that we have a fair and safe election, not only on Nov. 5th, but also in the next 50 days leading up to it,” said DA Steele. “We will not tolerate abuse of public officials, threats to election officials or abuse of individuals helping out at the drop box locations. Period.”
The 18 secure ballot drop-box locations, spread throughout Montgomery County, will be available to drop off ballots beginning in early October and continue through 8 p.m. on Election Day. All ballot drop-box locations are under video surveillance. Addresses for secure drop boxes, as well as voting instructions, can be found on the county’s website at https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/3587/Secure-Ballot-Drop-Box-Locations.
On Election Day, a team of prosecutors and detectives will be available for referral and to respond to any complaints, as is customary for any election. While no irregularities are expected to occur, the team will be ready to assist in protecting the integrity of our electoral system as well as protecting individuals working at voting locations.
First Assistant District Attorney Ed McCann Jr., Assistant District Attorney Jediah Grobstein and Montgomery County Detectives will work with federal, state, county and local law enforcement, as well as other government officials, to protect access to and the integrity of the Nov. 5, 2024 election. Reported violations of election laws will be investigated, and if appropriate, prosecuted.
Any potential problems on Election Day, should be reported to the Election Tip Line at 610-292-2024, emailing jediah.grobstein@montgomerycountypa.gov or by calling the County Department of Public Safety Communications Center at 610-275-1222.
