State Sen. Troy Singleton (center) and Assemblyman Balvir Singh (right) present a ceremonial $200,000 check to the Burlington County Commissioners in honor of the state funding secured for the county’s Wi-Fi expansion.
Burlington County is taking steps to improve internet connectivity at its voting locations as part of a new initiative that will also expand the availability of free public Wi-Fi.
County commissioners unveiled the plan on Aug. 13 with state Sen. Troy Singleton and Assemblyman Balvir Singh, who both helped secure $200,000 in the 2025-’26 State Budget and Appropriations Act for the project.
Under the current plan, the county’s Department of Information Technology will install secure, high-speed internet equipment at polling locations. The equipment will strengthen and expand the coverage range of the Wi-Fi signal at each location to ensure a strong, reliable connection on election days.
The connectivity at polling locations is important, because electronic poll books used to check in voters, verify their registrations and confirm that they’ve not already voted rely on secure internet to access elections databases. The voting machines themselves are not networked.
On non-election days, the enhancements will also allow the county to make free public Wi-Fi service available at those locations.
Singleton, who sponsored the budget resolution appropriating state funding for the county project, said the upgrades would enhance the election process while simultaneously expanding public internet access.
“Elections are the bedrock our democracy and that demands all levels of government to work together to ensure the process is secure and efficient,” he said.
“In today’s digital age, high-speed internet access cannot be reserved solely for the wealthy few,” noted Singh, sponsor of the budget resolution in the state assembly. “It must be made available for all residents so they can access services, find and secure employment and connect with friends and family members.”
County officials said upgrades have already been completed at all eight early-voting locations. The state funding is expected to cover the expense for improving and expanding the network to about two dozen more polling places before November’s election.
