Lycoming County is set to enhance accessibility at polling places following a recent government meeting where officials approved a $16,000 change order for the Pulley Place accessibility project. This initiative, which has been in progress for several years, aims to improve access at 34 additional facilities, including new polling locations like Faith United Methodist Church and upgrades at Penn Township and Salidaysburg United Methodist Church.

The discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring that polling places are accessible to all voters, particularly as some facilities expressed concerns about allowing political signage on their properties. Officials acknowledged that while some locations permit campaigners to advocate for candidates on election day, they often restrict signs due to fears of jeopardizing their nonprofit status or creating the appearance of political bias.

County officials emphasized the need to respect property owners' rights while balancing the necessity of maintaining accessible voting locations. They noted that while campaigners can solicit votes, placing signs requires property owner permission, which has led to frustrations when signs are not removed post-election.

The meeting underscored the collaborative efforts between the county and local facilities to ensure that improvements benefit not only voters on election day but also the broader community throughout the year. As the project progresses, officials remain committed to addressing concerns and ensuring that all polling places meet accessibility standards.