Protecting Your Vote, Protecting Your Wallet

Rep. Napoleon Nelson April 17, 2026 | 4:19 PM

PA Representative Napoleon Nelson banner image

The 2026 Primary Election is on May 19, just a few short weeks away! Your voice matters, and this is your chance to make it count. Make sure everyone in your family is ready to take part.

Now is a great time to check on your college student who might be away at school. Have them request a mail-in ballot if they aren’t going to be able to come home on or before election day.

Voting by mail is a safe and convenient option. If you’ve requested a mail-in or absentee ballot, be sure to fill it out carefully and return it as soon as you can.

Ballot drop boxes are now available. Click here for a map and hours of the drop boxes.

Remember, ballots must be received by your county election office by 8 PM on election day—postmarks don’t count, so plan ahead.

If you prefer to vote in person, polls will be open on Tuesday, May 19, from 7 AM to 8 PM. Remember, if you’re in line by 8 PM, stay in line - you’ll still be able to vote.

Important dates to remember:

May 4: Last day to register to vote
May 12: Last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot
May 19: Primary Election Day (polls open 7 AM – 8 PM)
May 19 (8 PM): Deadline for mail-in and absentee ballots to be received

If you have questions or need help, you can contact Montgomery County Voter Services at 610-278-3280.

Make a plan to vote—and invite your friends and neighbors to do the same. If you need a ride, don’t hesitate to reach out to your community.

How I Voted

Data centers have been a major source of discussion amongst state legislators and local governing bodies throughout the country.

Here in Pennsylvania, we haven’t been able to reach a bipartisan consensus on how we will govern the approval process for these large development projects. Data centers bring the prospects of large tax revenue and construction jobs at the cost of water consumption, electricity demand, and other local pollution effects. Normal discussion of commercial development projects usually revolves around some level of tax incentives to encourage investment.

That isn’t the case with data centers. Developers have plenty of money to offer a community, they just need speed and certainty. In exchange for speed, our job as legislators is to require developers to be responsible neighbors.

I voted yes on two bills that attempt to hold data centers accountable. HB 2150 would require data centers to disclose the nature of their operations and report energy and water usage to the state, and HB 2151 would provide communities with an optional approach on zoning for data centers.

HB 2150 passed 133-68 and HB 2151 passed 124-77. These are good bills, but I’m not sure they’re ready to get through the Senate and over to the Governor’s desk yet. Keep an eye on them, though, as we build a package of items during the budget crunch at the end of June.

You can learn more about these bills and the others we passed this week by visiting the House website here and picking the most recent dates we met.

High Note

The National Council of Negro Women- Pennsylvania

Today ends Black Maternal Health Week and I had the pleasure of visiting with the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Pennsylvania Coalition, in the House chamber. The Coalition has led the work to empower Black women across our nation and in PA, for almost a century, and it is an honor to support their work!

KI Exhibit- Mobile Holocaust Exhibit & Original Artifacts Collection at KI

Holocaust Remembrance Day at Keneseth Israel

From sundown on April 13 to April 14, Israel and Jewish communities around the world observed Yom HaShoah, a day to honor the victims of the Holocaust.

This is different from International Holocaust Remembrance Day, held each year on January 27.

That date marks the 1945 liberation of the Liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp. It’s a newer observance, first recognized by the United Nations in 2005.

This year, my office joined students from Cheltenham and Abington High Schools, along with other community members, at the 65th anniversary event at Keneseth Israel (KI) in Elkins Park, home of the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center (HAMEC). The goal was to help visitors better understand what happened during the Holocaust.

One powerful exhibit featured a replica cattle car created by Hate Ends Now. Inside, students learned what it was like for people transported to concentration camps through artifacts, survivor stories, and historical evidence.

On Monday, I had the chance to walk through the exhibit with other legislators as it made a stop in Harrisburg for us to experience and learn from.

If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to visit HAMEC or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The exhibit was only available for one day, but you can follow Hate Ends Now online to see where it will go next.

PECO Withdraws Proposed Rate Increase

After strong pushback from lawmakers and residents across our region, PECO has withdrawn its proposed electric and natural gas rate increases.

This proposal would have raised monthly utility bills by more than $30 for many households at a time when families are already dealing with rising costs for groceries, rent, and other essentials.

I joined my colleagues in the Southeast Delegation in formally opposing this increase and urging the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to reject it. I also supported efforts to ensure residents had the opportunity to make their voices heard.

PECO cited the financial strain on customers and feedback from stakeholders as key reasons for withdrawing the proposal.

While this is a step in the right direction, I will continue fighting to keep utility costs affordable and to make sure working families are not asked to carry the burden of rising energy prices.

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Information on Active State Programs

Other Programs & Events

Montgomery County Junior Commissioner Program

Applications are now open for Montgomery County’s first-ever Junior Commissioner Program! ??

Starting in the 2026–2027 school year, this program gives high school students the chance to work with County Commissioners, attend meetings, learn how the County operates, and complete a real-world capstone project.

Click here to learn more about the program.

Participants will:
• Gain hands-on experience in county government
• Build leadership and communication skills
• Connect with civic leaders across Montgomery County
• See firsthand how decisions impacting the community are made

Open to rising juniors and seniors with a passion for public service.
??? Applications due May 10
?? $500 travel stipend
?? Apply now

Cheltenham Avenue Corridor Study

Save the Date! Montgomery County is partnering with Cheltenham Township, the city of Philadelphia, and Springfield Township to study the Cheltenham Avenue corridor (Paper Mill Road to Ogontz Avenue) and explore ways to improve safety and accessibility for everyone.

Residents are invited to attend public open houses to learn more, share feedback, and help shape the project:

?? Open House #2
Thursday, May 28 | 6 PM–8 PM
Springfield Township Building (1510 Paper Mill Road)

Review findings and give input on proposed improvements.

You can also share feedback by submitting comments on the interactive map and completing a public survey.

For more details or to register, visit the project website.

Domestic Violence Panel

You’re invited to a panel discussion on April 29 at 7 PM in the Springfield Administration Building (1510 Papermill Road, Erdenheim, PA, 19038) featuring Springfield community members, Prothonotary Noah Marlier, District Judge Kate McGill, and representatives from Laurel House and the Springfield Township Police Department.

The panel will share information on resources for domestic violence survivors, including how to obtain a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order and access local support services.

This event is free and open to the public and will also be simulcast on Zoom, passcode: TOWNSHIP. A recording will be available for those who cannot attend.

If you or someone you know needs support, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Turn Your Lawn into a Habitat

Looking for a simple way to make a positive environmental impact right at home? The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is offering support through its Lawn to Habitat Program, which helps residents convert traditional grass lawns into native meadows or wooded spaces.

Maintaining turf grass can require a lot of water, fertilizer, and upkeep. By switching to native plants, you can reduce maintenance, improve water quality, and create a habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

Through this program, residents can access technical guidance, educational resources, and even free “Pocket Meadow Kits” that include native seeds and planting instructions. These kits can cover up to 1,000 square feet and will be available in limited quantities statewide.

In our region, registration for the Eastern Region opens on April 28 and closes May 1. Kits are expected to ship the week of May 11.

If you’re interested in making your yard more sustainable while supporting local ecosystems, this is a great opportunity to get started.