In Montgomery County, officials are turning to an innovative solution to make voting more accessible, particularly as they face challenges with high rejection rates of mail-in ballots. At the center of this initiative is a mobile voting van conceived by Neil Makhija, one of the county’s commissioners.

During a recent visit to the Valley Forge Towers in King of Prussia, a suburban area near Philadelphia, Makhija greeted residents and highlighted the services available in the van parked nearby. Many residents, like Maxine Endy, who is actively trying to engage her neighbors in the voting process, were unaware that they could cast their ballots, register to vote, or even resolve ballot issues right from their own parking lot. Endy, a sprightly octogenarian, noted that some neighbors were uncertain about where to go for ballots, and the van provides a convenient solution. “If they were parked close to one of the buildings, we could get a lot of people downstairs,” she suggested.

Makhija’s mobile voting initiative began earlier this month and aims to bridge the gap between officials and voters. In just its first week, the van made stops across the county, providing assistance to dozens of residents. “This is the first time anything like this has ever existed,” he remarked, acknowledging that many people are surprised to learn about the services offered.

In a state like Pennsylvania, which plays a pivotal role in presidential elections, ensuring that every vote counts is critical. Makhija emphasized that even a small increase in participation could have significant implications. Unfortunately, in Montgomery County alone, officials typically reject around 1,000 mail-in votes each election cycle, predominantly due to minor errors that voters often fail to correct.

Reflecting on the inspiration for the van, Makhija recalled how previous court rulings allowed ballots to be discarded for minor oversights, prompting him to question why government officials weren’t taking proactive steps to assist voters in remedying these mistakes. Drawing inspiration from community-led efforts, he envisioned the mobile van as a “voting ice-cream truck.”

Staffed by two election employees, the van boasts a ballot printer and services that allow residents to request, fill out, and return ballots on-site, ensuring a smoother voting process. Mike Gressen, a local Democratic committee member, believes the van is a “spectacular idea,” noting it addresses many challenges that residents face in the voting process, especially as life can often complicate civic participation.

However, the initiative hasn’t been without controversy. Following similar attempts in other states, the Republican National Committee has filed a lawsuit aimed at limiting the van’s operations until adequate public notice is given regarding its locations. Makhija maintains that the county is transparent about the van’s stops, posting updates on the county’s website.

In this politically charged environment, Makhija understands the mixed feelings surrounding the van’s introduction. “Some people here are Democrats, some are Republicans,” he said, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the effort, while acknowledging that there are those who may seek to limit voter access for their own agendas. Ultimately, he remains focused on ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to be heard this election season.