Montgomery County has received over 134,000 mail-in ballots, with 193,220 approved applications, writes Rachel Ravina for The Reporter. 

Officials anticipate historic voter turnout, with 60% of mail-in ballots already submitted, a significant improvement from past elections.

County Commissioner Vice Chairman Neil Makhija emphasized the importance of timely ballot returns. “We’re getting to the point where you should definitely use a drop box instead of the (U.S. Postal Service) if you want to ensure it gets here on time,” he said. There are 18 drop boxes available throughout the county until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 5.

Voter outreach initiatives have been a priority. The county introduced a “voter van” that functions as a mobile voter services office. This model aims to enhance service accessibility, drawing interest from other counties.

The county is also preparing for the in-person voting component, with 2,800 poll workers trained to staff 426 precincts. Makhija praised the dedication of both new and veteran poll workers who support the voting process regardless of political affiliation.

Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder commended the voter services team for their efforts in facilitating the voting process. “We’ve got an amazing voter services team that [is] fighting the good fight to ensure that everyone that is eligible to vote can vote in Montgomery County.”

Read more about the early voting efforts in The Reporter.