Simplify the following text for a Grade 12 native English-speaking person.
Original: In February 1919 the local inhabitants took part in the first free elections to the Polish Sejm , but soon afterwards the German commanders changed their mind and expelled the Polish military units from the area and in May passed it to Lithuanian authority .
Simplified: In February 1919 the local people voted in the first elections to the Polish Sejm , but soon after the German commanders changed their minds and kept the Polish soldiers from the area and in May passed it to Lithuania to control .