Kathleen Felts, of Lansdale. (Credit: Montgomery County PA/Flickr)
(The following information was provided by the Montgomery County Office of Communications.)
On Thursday, the Montgomery County Commissioners celebrated the County’s newest inductees to Pennsylvania’s Voter Hall of Fame. The special ceremony recognized and thanked dedicated voters for their civic engagement, while highlighting the importance of voting in this year’s election cycle.
At the event, 16 inductees who voted in 50 general elections were honored. The Commissioners also recognized other invited guests who had voted in 50 straight elections in Montgomery County, including primary elections, before the age of 50.
Local honorees included Kathleen Felts and Mary McNulty, of Lansdale, and Joann McDonald, of Towamencin.
Other inductees at the event were Donald Bakove and David Beck, both of Elkins Park; Michael Bieloski, of West Norriton; Anne Boeshore, of Schwenksville; Kathleen Campbell, of Elkins Park; Bernard Enright, of Worcester; Barbra Garnett, of Wyncote; Eric Eugene Griffin-Shelley, of Whitemarsh; Norman Hawkes, of Upper Moreland; Leola Hubbard, of Penllyn; Shari Johnson, of Wyncote; Margaret McLaughlin, of Elkins Park; and Robert Scenna, of Glenside.
“This is an inspiring day, as we recognize people’s unshakeable faith in the democratic system,” said Neil Makhija, county commissioner and chair of the Board of Elections. “And especially as Pennsylvanians, you are extremely coveted voters. You come in year after year to be a part of shaping the future of the country. You have made it through many moments when the voices of Pennsylvanians have been pivotal in the history of the country."
“So many times I hear, 'I'm not voting, it's a local election.' It's always important to vote in presidential elections like this year, but the off-year races are just as important, if not more important,” said Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County commissioner. “You set the tone as far as dedication to voting. I hope you tell your friends and family to follow in your footsteps.”
Former Abington Commissioner D. Gregory Holt II was one of the attendees honored today. “I would always remind young people that not voting has consequences. There has to be an issue that's part of that election process that's important to them. and even if there are other things that they don't feel are important, or they have no interest in, make that one issue important enough to get you out to vote,” said Holt II. “But also, at some point, some of the things that they don't think are as important to them now, may become important to their future children or grandchildren. Politics is a long game. Things get passed that may not affect you for a while.”
The youngest voter in attendance was 28-year-old Joseph Burkert, who has voted in 20 consecutive elections since he became eligible to vote. “I think it’s important to vote because regardless of what you think, whether it’s this way or that way, your voice needs to be heard. It’s important to have the country know what you think,” said Burkert.
The celebration marks the run-up to the Pennsylvania primary election, which takes place on April 23. The deadline for new voters in Pennsylvania to register to vote in the primary is Monday.
Montgomery County’s Voter Services satellite offices are open, with opportunities for voters to request and submit mail-in ballots prior to the date of the election. Drop boxes will be available starting April 13. Full details of satellite offices and drop box locations is available online.
The Voter Hall of Fame is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Elections Bureau, and Inductees are listed on the Department of State’s website. To apply, voters must submit the application to Montgomery County Voter Services. The County then verifies eligibility with the PA Department of State. Last month, the Commissioners put out a public call for applications to promote the program and to highlight the importance of voting.
Voters who believe they are eligible to enter the Voters Hall of Fame should return the application to Montgomery County Voter Services by email to [email protected] or by mail to Montgomery County Voter Services, P.O. Box 311, Norristown, Pa 19404-0311. Voters must have been born before 1955 and voted in every general election since 1973 to be eligible for this year’s Voter Hall of Fame.
The County plans to have future Voter Hall of Fame celebrations later this year.
