Some Franklin County voters will vote somewhere different in November

Residents around Franklin County, including in the Borough of Chambersburg, will have a new polling place for the presidential election in November.

In Chambersburg, the changes are a result of a recent adjustment to the borough's ward boundaries to reflect current population data according to the last census. Voters in certain areas of the previous first, second and third wards are affected.

Elsewhere, some polling places have moved.

The polling place for Hamilton 2 is now located at Christian Life Church, 1400 Warm Spring Road. Voters previously went to Cornerstone Church of Christ, Tallow Hill Road.

Voters in the Metal 2 voting district will now vote at the Metal Township Fire and Ambulance located at 10862 Path Valley Road, Fannettsburg, instead of Carrick United Methodist Church.

In addition, voters in Greene 4 will vote at St. Paul Lutheran Church at 44 E. Main St., Fayetteville, but that is expected to only be for the upcoming election. The polling place is expected to return to the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department next year.

These changes reflect a small minority of the 73 voting precincts in Franklin County.

What parts of Chambersburg are affected by redistricting?

By state law, the borough's wards must be evenly populated because the members of the borough's governing body are elected by region.

An area in the southeast corner of the previous First Ward, west of the Norfolk Southern Railroad, was moved to the Second Ward.

What was previously the northcentral part of the Third Ward -- roughly between Water Street, West Washington Street, Conococheague Creek and Dump Road (if it extended east to the Chambersburg Rail Trail) -- is now in the Fourth Ward.

Three areas from the south end of the previous Second Ward are now part of the Fifth Ward. The Fifth Ward's northern perimeter now runs along East McKinley Street, just west of Coldbrook Avenue, and Lincoln Way East.

The Fifth Ward also received an addition from the Third Ward. The Fifth Ward now extends west to the middle of South Main Street.

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How will voters know if they are affected?

Voters assigned to a new polling place will receive a new voter registration card in the mail, as well as a notice.

The Borough of Chambersburg will include information about the ward changes in utility bills in October.

Voters should bring their government-issued ID if voting at a new precinct.

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Important information to know for the 2024 election

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Polling places are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 21. If you renewed your driver's license recently or obtained a new license in Pennsylvania, you are probably already registered.

Voters can still apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot. The deadline to apply is Oct. 29.

Your completed ballot must be at the Franklin County Voter Registration Office by 8 p.m. Election Day. Mail it three days ahead of time, or drop it off at 272 N. Second St., Chambersburg.

Information about voter registration, polling places, how to apply for a mail-in ballot, and more is online at vote.pa.gov or franklincountypa.gov (General Government tab, choose Voter and Election Information).

Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Some Franklin County voters will vote somewhere different in November