The Berks County Board of Elections has decided to move an absentee ballot drop box to the Reading Regional Airport due to upcoming construction at the Berks County Agricultural Center. The board made the decision on Thursday (February 20), and the drop box will remain at the airport for both the May 20 primary election and the November 4 general election.
The relocation was prompted by anticipated renovations in the lobby of the Bern Township Agricultural Center, which necessitated finding a temporary new home for the drop box. The move to the airport is seen as a practical solution, with the facility offering ample parking and a convenient location. The drop box will be placed in the terminal lobby, near the Berks County Sheriff's Office substation, ensuring security and accessibility.
Berks County Chief Operations Officer Kevin Barnhardt, who also sits on the Reading Regional Airport Authority board, informed the authority about the situation, and they unanimously approved the placement of the drop box at the airport. The board will monitor the use of the airport drop box to determine if it should become a permanent location.
In addition to the new airport location, Berks County voters can also use two other drop boxes. These are located in the lobby of the Berks County Services Center in downtown Reading and at the South Campus in Mohnton. Both are secured by deputy sheriffs and monitored by security cameras. The election services department collects ballots daily and seals the boxes when the centers close.