General Election Updates, Get your Flu Shot, and Upcoming Events
The Montgomery County Board of Elections wants to make sure residents are aware of several key dates relating to the upcoming General Election.
“Every election is important. The offices on the ballot this year impact education, the justice system and everyday quality of life issues,” said Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
Those planning to make their voice heard in the 2021 General Election should take note of the following dates:
- Tuesday, October 26, 2021 by 5 p.m.: Last day to apply for mail-in or absentee ballots
- Tuesday, November 2, 2021: General Election Day, polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 9, 2021: Last day to receive military and overseas absentee ballots
If you choose to vote by mail, eleven secure ballot drop boxes have been installed across the County. (Check out an interactive map with all drop box locations here) Ballots placed in the secure ballot boxes will be delivered daily to Montgomery County Voter Services by County sheriffs, and date stamped when they are received.
Additionally, to support voters ahead of this election, the County will operate Voter Services satellite offices in Lansdale, Willow Grove, Pottstown & Lower Merion. Residents can visit one of these offices to apply to vote by mail, receive or return their mail in ballot.
Montco offering flu vaccine at four County-run vaccination clinics
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) encourage residents to get the annual flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is now available at all of the County’s four vaccine clinics. Widespread community vaccination helps reduce the chance of getting the flu and prevents the spread of the flu within communities.
“Even as we continue to see high levels of COVID-19 transmission across Montgomery County, I want to remind residents that flu season is almost here,” said Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Getting a flu shot this year is more important than ever to keep you and your family healthy and safe, and to conserve medical resources for the care of patients with COVID-19. Flu shots reduce the risk of influenza illness, hospitalizations, and death. Everyone six months of age and older is eligible.”
Flu shots are offered at the County’s COVID-19 vaccination sites to residents six months of age or older who live, work, or attend school in Montgomery County. All sites are by appointment only. Residents can make an appointment and register for a flu shot here or call (610) 278-5117. The vaccinations are no-cost, but health insurance will be billed for residents who have it.
More information can be found at https://www.montcopa.org/Flu.
| Get the latest on Hurricane Ida relief and recovery efforts taking place in Montgomery County
Reminder: Deadlines for survivors of Hurricane Ida to apply for aid are fast approaching.
Businesses impacted by Ida have until 11/9 to apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration while individuals have until 11/10 to apply with FEMA. Applications can be submitted online, by phone or in person.
Montgomery County’s Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) remains open and able to provide information, assistance, and support to Montgomery County residents and business owners affected by Ida. The DRC is located on the Blue Bell campus of Montgomery County Community College. It is open Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
NEW: A toll-free legal aid helpline, operated by Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, is now available for survivors of Hurricane Ida in Pennsylvania. Low-income survivors facing legal issues may call 877-429-5994. The helpline will be staffed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but messages can be left 24/7.
Additionally, donations are still being accepted to the Montco Emergency Disaster Relief Fund hosted by the Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. All donations to this fund support non-profit agencies serving Montgomery County individuals and families impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Funds can be used to support housing, food, gasoline, and household needs such as cleaning products, hygiene products, bedding, towels, and clothing.
Contributors can donate to the Montco Emergency Disaster Relief Fund by: · Texting GIVE or DONATE to (610) 600-1764 · Donating by check, mail to: The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc., 4 Sentry Parkway East, Suite 302, Blue Bell, PA, 19422
Get the latest updates on Hurricane Ida relief efforts in Montgomery County: www.montcopa.org/Ida |
| Upcoming Parks, Trails and Historic Sites events
There’s plenty happening at Montgomery County’s Parks, Trails and Historic Sites this fall. Here’s a look at just some of what you and your family can enjoy in Montco in the weeks ahead!
· October 21: Bats don’t have to be scary! Learn bat facts, hear a story about bats and create a craft to take home at the Norristown Farm Park. Limited space, pre-registration required. Children ages 3-6 with adult; $3 fee for craft supplies. Click HERE for more. · October 22/23: Visit Upper Schuylkill Valley Park and enjoy a moonlit tour of the resident animals. Visitors will learn about their evening habits and hopefully hear the sounds of our nocturnal and night-hunting friends. Light refreshments will be offered at the end of the tour. All ages. Pre-registration required. Click HERE for more. · October 23: Join the Norristown Farm Park team for Trick or Trails, a family friendly event where children can explore the park and ‘trick or treat’ for safe and healthy prizes. Be sure to wear your sneakers. Registration required. Click HERE to learn more. · October 23: Come out to a “Fall Foliage Ramble” Walk with the Green Lane Park team along the scenic Blue Trail. Learn how and why leaves change colors in autumn and get tips on identifying trees in fall by leaf color, shape and other characteristics. Pre-registration is required. Click HERE for more. · October 26: Get outdoors and join Norristown Farm Park staff for their regular Tuesday bird walk. Bring binoculars. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking. Limited space available, registration required. All ages; free. More details HERE. · October 27: Join the Norristown Farm Park team to take your knowledge of tying flies to the next level during this four part series. All supplies will be provided to complete the flies. Limited tool kits available to borrow or bring your own. Children 8-Adult; $25 fee to cover supplies (fee covers all 4 classes). More details HERE. · October 30: Join Norristown Farm Park staff for a Saturday Morning bird walk. Come observe some amazing birds that are only stopping by. Bring binoculars if you have them. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking. Limited space available, Registration required. All ages; free. Click HERE for more. |
| COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations: Answering your questions about COVID-19 vaccines
It can be hard to separate the fact from the fiction in regards to COVID-19 vaccines. That’s why Montgomery County Immunization Coalition, Montgomery County Office of Public Health, and TriCounty Health Council created the COVID-19 Vaccine Conversation Video Series. It can provide our community with credible information about the COVID-19 vaccines from actual local healthcare leaders.
The latest videos in the series answer the questions “Why do I need the COVID-19 vaccine if I already had COVID?” and “If I’m young and healthy, we do I need the COVID-19 vaccine?”
Watch the series HERE. |
| Get a look at the present and future development taking place across Montgomery County
Did you know: 206 residential units and nearly 1.1 million square feet of nonresidential development were completed in Montgomery County in just the third quarter of 2021 alone?
Learn more about the prominent construction developments taking place across the County – both nonresidential and residential multifamily – in the latest Quarterly Construction Report, a joint product of the Montgomery County Planning Commission (MCPC) and the Montgomery County Commerce Department.
Check it out HERE. |
| Safely dispose of unwanted medications and get some space back in your medicine cabinet
Montgomery County’s Office of the District Attorney & the Police Chiefs Association are sponsoring a Drug Take Back Day this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Residents are invited to safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription & over-the-counter medications at a nearby drop-off site.
Get a list of participating locations and acceptable medications: www.montcopa.org/DA |
| Help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Montco!
COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities. The best way to keep COVID in check is to get vaccinated. If you feel sick or think you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, get tested!
You can do both of these things, completely free, right here in Montgomery County.
Find a vaccine clinic near you.
Find a COVID-19 test site near you.
Montgomery County Office of Public Health is currently not scheduling appointments for booster doses of the Moderna or Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine because it is not yet recommended by the CDC. Should this change, booster appointments will be offered.
Pfizer Booster: Montgomery County Office of Public Health is accepting appointments for booster shots for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine following FDA and CDC authorization. People who are at highest risk for COVID-19 can now receive a Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot to help increase their protection. Click here for more details. (To schedule, you must be at least 6 months out from your second dose. Also, we are only booking appointments for boosters roughly one month out from today’s date. If the date you’re eligible to receive your booster on falls outside that range, you will not yet be able to make an appointment or receive a booster and should check back later.)
Third Dose for Immunocompromised: The Montgomery County Office of Public Health is now accepting appointments for a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised individuals. For a list of qualifying conditions, click here. (To schedule, you should be at least 28 days from your last dose of COVID-19 vaccine.) |