So, you’re probably wondering what’s actually going on with the voting mess in West Chester. Honestly, it's been a bit of a whirlwind lately. People are still fired up about what happened during the 2025 general election, and the latest chester county pennsylvania news is all about a final report that just landed on the commissioners' desks.
Basically, a law firm called Fleck Eckert Klein McGarry spent the last few months digging into why 70,000 third-party voters were suddenly missing from the poll books. That's a massive number. It’s not just a small glitch; it’s a total headache that forced thousands of neighbors to stand in long lines just to fill out provisional ballots.
The Big Reveal on January 27
Right now, the county bigwigs—we're talking David Byerman, the CEO, and the commissioners—are sitting on this report. They’ve had it since December 19, but they aren't sharing the juicy details just yet. They’ve scheduled a public meeting for January 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
If you want to hear it firsthand, you’ve gotta head to the Commissioners’ Board Room on Market Street. Or, honestly, maybe keep an eye on the news that night because people are predicting the room won't be nearly big enough for the crowd. At the last certification meeting, things got pretty heated. Residents were calling for resignations and demanding to know if this was just human error or something more intentional.
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The county maintains it was a technical "snafu," but the fact that 12,600 people ended up casting provisional ballots—the highest ever for an off-year—has left a sour taste in everyone's mouth.
Real Estate and the Exton Square Mall Drama
While the election stuff is grabbing headlines, the literal landscape of the county is changing too. You've probably seen the Exton Square Mall looking a little ghost-townish lately. Well, there was a plan to fix that.
Abrams Realty & Development wanted to turn those 75 acres into a "small town." We're talking:
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- 381 apartments
- 172 townhomes
- A 55+ community with 165 units
- Retail and medical office space
But the West Whiteland Township Board of Supervisors basically said, "No thanks." They shot it down because of concerns over traffic, sewers, and just how dense the project was. Now, Peter Abrams is planning to file a lawsuit. It’s a mess.
On the flip side, West Goshen is getting a new 200-room hotel at 205 Carter Drive. They’ve already demolished the old Quality Inn to make way for it. Construction should start by Spring 2026.
Watch Out for the Wildlife
In some weirder chester county pennsylvania news, nature is getting a bit too close for comfort. Just a few days ago, a hiker was attacked by a coyote on one of the local trails. It's not the kind of thing you expect when you're just trying to get some steps in.
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And then there was that tragic freak accident where a Malvern Prep student was killed because a deer was hit by one car and launched through the windshield of another. It’s a reminder that even in our quiet suburbs, things can get unpredictable fast.
The 250th Anniversary is Looming
Believe it or not, 2026 is the big "America 250" year. Since we’re right in the heart of where the Revolution happened, the Chester County Planning Commission is going all out. They’ve already released a short film called Dare to Declare through the Community Foundation.
They are also starting to update "Landscapes3," which is basically the master plan for how the county grows. They’re looking at transit-oriented development and trying to figure out how to keep the county's "open space" vibe while everyone and their mother tries to move here.
Quick Hits You Should Know
- Pocopson Home: It was just named one of America’s Best Nursing Homes for 2026 by Newsweek. Huge win for local senior care.
- Kitchen Closures: A bunch of recent food inspections turned up some pretty gross conditions in West Chester. If you’re eating out this week, maybe check the latest reports on the county health site first.
- Basketball Hype: Coatesville’s Red Raiders are looking like the team to beat. They’ve got Colton Hiller, who’s currently the top-rated sophomore in the state.
What You Can Do Right Now
If you’re living in Chesco, don't just sit on the sidelines.
- Mark January 21st: There are two hybrid meetings about the Hazard Mitigation Plan. If you’re worried about flooding or man-made hazards, show up online or at the Government Services Center on Westtown Road.
- Check Your Registration: Given the poll book disaster, it’s worth double-checking your voter status now, even if there isn't an election tomorrow.
- Support Local Nonprofits: The Whitford Charitable Classic just handed out $100,000 in grants to 10 local groups. See if one of them—like those working on homelessness reduction—needs a volunteer.
The county is growing fast, and between the election fallout and the mall lawsuits, there's a lot of noise. Staying informed is basically the only way to make sure the "small town" feel we love doesn't get buried under all the new construction and red tape.