Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s loss of county election officials raises concerns about errors | Anthony Hennen/The Center Square

The Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee conducted a post-election evaluation marked by amiable discussions between Republican senators and the secretary of the commonwealth. While there was mutual concern over human errors in the electoral process, some divides persisted. The department has focused on reducing human errors by hiring a chief training officer and redesigning ballot envelopes to minimize voter errors. However, concerns were raised about significant turnover in election administrators at the county level, affecting experience and potentially leading to unintentional mistakes. The audit process also drew differing opinions, with the secretary emphasizing existing audit measures, while Sen. Cris Dush expressed a desire for comprehensive machine verification akin to auditing gas pumps and slot machines. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Exodus of election officials in Luzerne County rings alarm for US democracy | Sam Levine/The Guardian

Luzerne County has experienced a high level of turnover in its election office, facing unintentional human errors, which, in turn, contribute to public distrust in elections. The loss of institutional knowledge, combined with the increasing lack of experience, creates a cycle of errors and distrust, further pushing officials to leave. To address these challenges, Luzerne County is working on improving internal election processes and rebuilding trust in its election system. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Voting machine trouble in Nothhampton County triggers alarm ahead of 2024 | John Sakellariadis/Politico

In Northampton County, where programming errors on ExpressVote XL voting machines raised concerns about the integrity of elections, the county faces a challenge to restore voter confidence ahead of the upcoming presidential election. In 2019 the machines resulted in undercounting votes in a local judges’ race, and a recent glitch in the same machines triggered a backlash. Despite officials claiming the errors did not affect outcomes, skeptics question the reliability of the machines and call for their replacement. The incident highlights the broader issue of election security and the delicate balance officials must strike in addressing problems without fueling conspiracy theories. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Mail ballot ruling adds confusion to certification process | Carter Walker/Votebeat

Following a federal court ruling, Pennsylvania counties are making varying decisions on whether to count undated and misdated mail ballots cast during the November election. Judge Susan Baxter of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania ruled that the date a voter writes on the envelope is “immaterial” to the voter’s eligibility. The ruling has led to inconsistencies in how counties handle the ballots, creating challenges during the certification process. Some counties counted the ballots, while others delayed certification or excluded them, leading to potential disenfranchisement. The Department of State has announced redesigned mail ballot materials to prevent such errors. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Voting rights groups call for investigation of Election Day problems in Northampton County | Peter Hall/Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Voting rights groups, including the ACLU of Pennsylvania and Common Cause PA, are demanding an explanation from Northampton County officials regarding a programming error on the ES&S ExpressVote XL voting machines used in the county that affected ballots on Election Day. The error in the Superior Court retention race forced voters to use emergency ballots, leading to confusion and doubts about the accuracy of votes. The groups are calling for a thorough investigation, a transparent report, and measures to rebuild public trust, emphasizing the need for improved testing procedures and contingency plans. Secretary of State Al Schmidt has pledged to follow up with the county and its voting machine vendor to determine why the error went unnoticed. The incident underscores the importance of addressing voting machine vulnerabilities and ensuring proper contingency plans to prevent similar issues in the future. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Voting machines in Northampton County misprinted votes on paper ballots | Carter Walker/Votebeat

A programming error in Northampton County’s voting machines led to votes for two Pennsylvania Superior Court candidates being incorrectly printed on voters’ paper ballots, although officials assured that the correct selections were recorded on the machines. Pre-election testing should have caught the issue before the November 7 election, but it was incomplete. The problem only affected the judicial race printout, and the tabulation will accurately reflect voters’ intentions. The county’s spokesperson acknowledged that the issue should have been identified in pre-election testing and emphasized the error was limited to one race. The voting machine manufacturer accepted responsibility for the labeling error causing the problem. Read Article

How a Pennsylvania judge of elections handled a “hectic” polling place | Carter Walker/Votebeat

Jay Schneider, overseeing his polling place in Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, on his first Election Day as a judge of elections, faced initial challenges with staffing and coordination. Despite a rocky start, Schneider, who transitioned from a poll worker role, managed the precinct efficiently, addressing issues, adapting to higher-than-expected voter turnout, and collaborating with support from the county’s emergency operations center and additional poll workers. While acknowledging the stress and learning curve, Schneider expressed satisfaction in contributing to the election process and helping voters cast their ballots, emphasizing the importance of refining operations for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Read Article

Pennsylvanians Are About to Decide Who Will Oversee the 2024 Elections | Daniel Nichanian/Bolts

The upcoming Nov. 7 elections in Pennsylvania’s counties, particularly Bucks County, hold significant implications for voting accessibility. Since county officials in Pennsylvania have broad authority over election procedures, including mail-in voting protocols, the outcomes will determine policies like ballot curing (allowing voters to correct minor mistakes on mail ballots). The races may influence whether procedures facilitating mail voting, such as drop boxes, will remain in place. Republicans gaining control could potentially roll back these measures, impacting the 2024 elections. Advocates are urging for statewide mandates, like House Bill 847, to ensure uniform voting standards across counties and safeguard voters’ access to the ballot. Read Article

Pennsylvanians Are About to Decide Who Will Oversee the 2024 Elections | Daniel Nichanian/Bolts

Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, a Democrat, played a pivotal role in implementing voter-friendly measures during the 2020 elections, including the installation of ballot drop boxes and ballot curing (allowing voters to correct minor mistakes on their mail ballots). These measures were in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic and faced opposition, including a lawsuit from Donald Trump, which Bucks County ultimately won. The upcoming elections in Bucks County will determine whether Democrats maintain control of the commission, as their majority helped establish a suburban firewall against Trump’s efforts to challenge election results. The discretion granted to county officials in Pennsylvania has led to a diverse set of election procedures, with Democrats generally advocating for expanded mail voting options and Republicans often opposing such measures. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Turnover has plagued local election offices since 2020. Luzerne County is trying to recover | Christina A. Cassidy/Associated Press

The 2022 midterm elections in Pennsylvania’s Luzerne County were marred by an administrative oversight: a paper shortage at polling places due to a wrong order made years ago. This incident underscores the larger issue of a national crisis caused by an exodus of local election directors and staff following the 2020 presidential election, leading to institutional knowledge gaps and inexperience in crucial roles. This wave of retirements and resignations has created a vacuum, where even minor mistakes related to voting or ballot counting can be exploited by conspiracy theorists. In Luzerne County, the turnover has contributed to ongoing problems and increased voter doubt about elections, especially after persistent falsehoods regarding the 2020 presidential contest. The situation reflects a precarious spot for election integrity nationwide, with increased pressure on election officials and the need for effective training and support systems. Read Article

Pennsylvania elections chief urges counties to send replacement ballots to fix errors; Lancaster County officials stand by decision not to do that | Jaxon White/Lancaster Online

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt urged county election officials to take all necessary steps to rectify mistakes made in mail-in ballots for the upcoming November municipal election. This statement came in response to ballot errors reported in several counties, including an erroneous set of instructions sent to 24,000 mail-in voters in Lancaster County. Although Lancaster County decided not to send replacement ballots, they allowed affected voters to receive new ones if they visit the county building, provide proper ID, and an elections worker verifies the ballot contains an error related to the instructions. The initial error advised voters to place the completed ballot in a white secrecy envelope instead of the actual yellow one. Chairman John Trescot assured that steps were taken to correct the issue and emphasized that such errors are not deliberate attempts to alter election outcomes. Read Article

Pennsylvania voting system errors ‘minuscule,’ judge says in tossing Fulton County civil suit against Dominion Voting Systems | Bruce Siwy/Chambersburg Public Opinion

A federal court has rejected Fulton County’s attempt to sue Dominion Voting Systems for breach of contract. Judge Sylvia Rambo ruled that Fulton County’s commissioners and legal counsel failed to prove that a hardware defect prevented Dominion systems from functioning according to the contract. The voting machines were initially certified but were later decertified by the Pennsylvania Department of State due to improper third-party access. The lawsuit arose from allegations related to the 2020 election, and this ruling marks a setback for the county’s claims against Dominion. Fulton County had allowed outside companies to inspect the voting machines amid controversies over election results. The court decision dismisses the claims without prejudice, allowing commissioners to file an amended complaint. Additionally, the county has faced legal fees for its unauthorized inspections of the Dominion systems, with the state seeking reimbursement of nearly $500,000. Read Article

Pennsylvania: The cost of Fulton County’s losing legal battle over Dominion keeps climbing | Bruce Siwy/Chambersburg Public Opinion

In Fulton County, a three-day legal proceeding regarding the security of voting machines has revealed a contentious situation. Local officials sought to hire a Florida-based company, Cerberus Dynamic Solutions, to guard voting machines that had been illegally inspected for fraud after the 2020 election. However, a supervising judge instead opted for a different company selected by the Pennsylvania Department of State, possibly causing the county to be responsible for the state’s legal fees. The Pennsylvania Department of State is requesting reimbursement from the county of almost $450,000 in counsel fees and other litigation costs due to the illegal inspection of the Dominion voting machines. The controversy has raised concerns about potential financial implications for Fulton County taxpayers. Read Article

Pennsylvania Will Start Automatic Voter Registration | Neil Vigdor/The New York Times

Pennsylvania has announced a program to automatically register new voters through the driver’s license and state ID approval process. The initiative, similar to programs in 23 other states and D.C., aims to streamline the voter registration process by utilizing information already provided for identification purposes. Eligible voters must be U.S. citizens, Pennsylvania residents for at least 30 days prior to an election, and at least 18 years old on the next election date. Read Article

Pennsylvania: US Supreme Court won’t intervene in dispute over access to voting equipment after 2020 election | Ariane de Vogue and Zachary Cohen/CNN

The Supreme Court has declined an emergency request from Republican election officials in a Pennsylvania county regarding sanctions related to a dispute over voting equipment and the 2020 election. The case centers on actions taken by two of the three Fulton County Commissioners who sought an examination of Dominion voting equipment by a third party after the 2020 election. They claimed it was to decide whether to continue using the machines. Multiple unauthorized outside firms gained access to the voting systems in Fulton County, which was later deemed improper. The Supreme Court’s decision upholds the sanctions imposed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Read Article

Pennsylvania will track voting machine malfunctions under new settlement with election security groups | Carter Walker/Votebeat Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Department of State has settled a lawsuit with election security groups that will require counties to publicly report voting machine malfunctions, potentially becoming the first such initiative in the U.S. This measure is seen as a way to enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and counter election misinformation. The settlement follows a lawsuit by election groups against the state, claiming that some counties adopted flawed voting machines. The settlement agreement also requires better public access to voting equipment examination processes and mandates that three counties using the voting machine in question upgrade to its latest software. The new reporting requirement is set to begin with this November’s municipal election. Read Article

How Pennsylvania counties spent the first-ever election grants from the state — and why they want more | Carter Walker/Votebeat Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania counties that received $45 million in state funding to cover election costs during last year’s November election have expressed satisfaction with the investment and plan to apply for a new round of grants in August. The funds were spent on various expenses related to the election, such as mail ballot sorting machines, voting equipment transportation, and poll worker pay. The grant funding was made available through a bipartisan law known as Act 88, but at least two counties have opted not to apply for the grants again due to the requirements, including continuous counting of mail ballots. However, most counties are looking forward to reapplying and incorporating the state money into their 2024 budgets. Read Article

Pennsylvania mail ballot rejections will particularly affect Democrats, older voters, and Black and Latino voters in 2024 | Leo Cassel-Siskind/Philadelphia Inquirer

Tens of thousands of Pennsylvania ballots are at risk of being rejected in the upcoming presidential election, with a disproportionate impact on Democrats, older voters, and marginalized communities. Rejected votes often result from errors such as undated envelopes and late arrivals. Mail-in voting behaviors have revealed disparities, with older and wealthier voters having higher rates of mail voting but lower rejection rates. On the other hand, new mail voters, younger voters, and residents of lower-income and minority neighborhoods face higher rejection rates. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure equitable access to the voting process for all citizens. Read Article

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court rejects GOP challenge to Pennsylvania mail voting law | Jeremy Roebuck and Jonathan Lai/Philadelphia Inquirer

The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has rejected Republican arguments that recent court decisions on counting ballots with missing or incorrect dates rendered the state’s mail voting law, Act 77, invalid. The court ruled unanimously that the recent decisions did not invalidate any part of Act 77 but only interpreted how the dating provision should be applied by elections officials. The Republican lawmakers intend to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, which has previously upheld the mail ballot law in previous challenges. The ongoing legal battle revolves around whether undated mail ballots should be rejected or counted, with Republicans arguing for rejection and state elections administrators arguing for counting them to protect voting rights. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Probe blames Luzerne County’s November ballot paper shortage on inexperience, poor training | Mark Scolforo/Associated Oress

A prosecutor’s review of voting problems in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, during the 2020 elections found no evidence of criminal activity or intentional efforts to hinder voting. The review, conducted by Luzerne District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, attributed the problems to inexperienced supervisors and inadequate training. The county experienced a shortage of ballot paper, which led to voting delays and the use of emergency or provisional ballots. Sanguedolce’s report emphasized that the oversight was not intentional but rather a result of incompetence. Steps are being considered to prevent similar issues in the future, including deploying county workers from other departments and potentially hiring a consultant to improve procedures. The review also dismissed claims of tampering with voting machines or deliberate efforts to not order enough ballot paper. FRead Article

A Pennsylvania county rejected voters’ flawed mail ballots. Then it refused to count their in-person votes, too. | Carter Walker/Votebeat Pennsylvania

The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against Delaware County, arguing that the rejection of provisional ballots in the May primary disenfranchised eligible voters. According to Marian Schneider, senior voting rights policy counsel at the Pennsylvania ACLU, the dispute arose when the county’s Board of Elections refused to accept provisional ballots cast by voters whose mail-in ballots had already been rejected due to technical defects. The lawsuit claims that the rejection of these provisional ballots based on an alleged interpretation of the law contradicts Pennsylvania’s vote-by-mail law and could be used to disenfranchise voters in future elections. The case highlights the need for clarity in the law regarding rejected mail ballots and the counting of provisional ballots. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Lycoming County dispute over ballot images moves to Commonwealth Court | John Beauge/Pennlive.com

An appeal has been made to the Commonwealth Court to overturn a ruling by a Lycoming County judge that images of in-person votes are not public records. Jeffrey Stroehmann, a former county Republican chairperson, is seeking to reverse a decision by the state Office of Open Records that denied his right-to-know request for these images. Stroehmann argues that Act 77, which amended the Election Code in 2019, made images of mail-in and absentee ballots public, but the law does not explicitly address in-person ballot images. Judge Eric R. Linhardt ruled that since a voted in-person ballot is considered part of the ballot box, images of such ballots should also be exempt from public access. The Department of State has appealed Linhardt’s ruling that cast vote records (CVRs) from the 2020 general election in Lycoming County are public records, asserting that CVRs are not open to public inspection according to the Election Code. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia is not giving equal polling place access to disabled voters | Laura Benshoff/Votebeat

The challenges faced by voters with disabilities in Philadelphia are brought to light, revealing the city’s shortcomings in providing equal access to the voting process. Despite legal requirements for accessibility, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, voters with disabilities still encounter obstacles. Issues include the absence of necessary equipment for wheelchair accessibility and a lack of consideration for accommodations. While progress has been made, there is a need for ongoing efforts to ensure that individuals with disabilities can exercise their right to vote independently and without barriers. The article highlights past legal actions, ongoing complaints, and the importance of maintaining a continuous focus on accessibility to create an inclusive voting experience for all citizens. Read Article

Pennsylvania judge rules in-person 2020 ballot images in Lycoming county are not accessible to public | John Beauge/pennlive.com

A judge in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, ruled that images of votes cast in person during the 2020 general election are not public. The state Department of State appealed the decision, which also involved the public access to cast vote records (CVR). The judge determined that since a voted in-person ballot is considered part of the ballot box contents, the same applies to an image of that ballot. The Department of State argued that CVRs should be exempt from public disclosure, as they are equivalent to the contents of a modern-day ballot box. The ongoing legal battle prevents the implementation of the judge’s order, but his rulings may serve as precedents for future cases. Read Article

Pennsylvania Democrats want counties to be able to count mail ballots faster. Here’s why changes are unlikely. | Gillian McGoldrick and Jonathan Lai/Philadelphia Inquirer

Newly empowered Pennsylvania House Democrats, in a position to move election legislation for the first time since the 2020 election, are proposing a change to allow mail ballots to be processed earlier so they can be counted faster. The change is widely backed by elections administrators across the state — but the bill doesn’t have the backing of Republicans, who control the Senate. Currently, mail ballots can’t be opened in Pennsylvania until 7 a.m. on Election Day. In high-turnout elections, that means the days-long process of counting millions of mail ballots can’t begin until Election Day. In 2020, that meant days before we knew who won the White House. House Bill 847 would allow counties to begin “pre-canvassing” — activities such as opening envelopes or unfolding ballots, but not counting them — seven days before Election Day. It would also standardize how counties allow voters to correct mail ballot errors, change the mail ballot request deadline from the current seven days to 11 days before Election Day, and allow voters to request mail ballots at their county elections offices until the day before Election Day.

Full Article: Pa. pre-canvassing bill: Democrats propose election vote counting change

Pennsylvania Supreme Court angrily sanctions county for violating order on Dominion voting machines | Jonathan Lai/Philadelphia Inquirer

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Wednesday said Fulton County had blatantly defied the court when it allowed a third-party company to access its 2020 voting machines. The county had first given a firm access to its Dominion voting machines in the weeks after the 2020 election, prompting the Pennsylvania Department of State, which oversees elections, to decertify the machines and ask the court to block the county from giving any further access. The court agreed, ordering the machines be kept secure. Fulton County gave another company access to its voting machines anyway, leading the justices to impose sanctions on the county and its attorneys in the form of repaid legal fees for both the state and Dominion. “No remedy can undo the harm that the county’s contempt caused,” Justice David Wecht said in his majority opinion, but “simply are the next best thing.”

Full Article: Pa. Supreme Court sanctions Fulton County over voting machines

Pennsylvania judge dismisses latest GOP mail ballot lawsuit | Marc Levy/Associated Press

A Pennsylvania judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee that had sought to prevent counties from helping voters ensure their ballots count by fixing minor, technical deficiencies on mail-in ballot envelopes. The judge said county courts, not a statewide court, have jurisdiction. The lawsuit, filed in the statewide Commonwealth Court, had argued that state law prevents what is known as “ballot curing” and, as a result, must be barred by the court. But Commonwealth Court Judge Ellen Ceisler agreed with lawyers for the state’s Democratic administration and ruled that county courts have jurisdiction in the matter, not a state court, because counties have the authority under state law to make rules, regulations and instructions necessary to run an election. Ballot curing has been practiced primarily by Democratic-leaning counties in Pennsylvania. It includes notifying voters that they forgot to do things like date or sign their ballot envelope and gives them the opportunity to come into a county office and fix it before polls close.

Full Article: Pennsylvania judge dismisses latest GOP mail ballot lawsuit | AP News

Pennsylvania judge gets more arguments on whether public can see 2020 election ballot images | John Beauge/PennLive

It would be absurd to conclude the General Assembly wanted images of mail-in and absentee ballots made public but not those cast in person. That was the argument put forward Tuesday by Jeffrey J. Stroehmann in a brief filed in Lycoming County court in support of evidence presented at a Feb. 21 hearing. Judge Eric R. Linhardt, who is reviewing the images from the 2020 general election that Stroehmann wants made public, had given him and the county’s Office of Voter Services the opportunity to submit briefs before he makes a decision. Stroehmann, who chaired President Trump’s 2020 campaign in the county and attended the Jan. 6, 2021, rally in Washington, D.C., contends the images he seeks are public under the Election Code and the Right-to-Know Law.

Full Article: Pa. judge gets more arguments on whether public can see 2020 election ballot images – pennlive.com

Pennsylvania: Paper ballots provided for May Primary in Luzerne County | Andy Mehalshick/Eyewitness News

Electronic voting machines are out and paper ballot voting is in, at least for now as voters in Luzerne County will see some big changes when they head to their polling places for the May Primary Election. They will no longer cast votes on electronic voting machines. Luzerne County Election Officials told I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick they know they have to regain the trust of the voters, and they believe that the use of paper ballots in the upcoming election will be a step in the right direction in making that happen. Voters in Luzerne County will not be using the familiar electronic voting machines, sometimes called ‘Electronic Ballot Markers,’ in the May Primary Election. “We will have the election poll books set up for voters to sign in they will vote by paper ballot. So they’ll be given their ballot behind a privacy screen they will cast their vote and then scan it into our scanning machines before they leave,” said Jennifer Pecora, Division Head of Administrative Services.

Full Article: Paper ballots provided for May Primary in Luzerne County | Eyewitness News

Pennsylvania: Luzerne County voters may be using paper ballots at polls on May 16 | Jennifer Learn-Andes/Times Leader

Luzerne County voters may be selecting their candidates on paper ballots instead of electronic ballot marking devices at polling places in the May 16 primary election, officials said Monday. Election Director Eryn Harvey presented the plan to the county’s five-citizen Election Board, saying paper ballots were successfully used during a Jan. 31 state senate special election impacting 18 municipalities. The election bureau received a significant level of positive feedback from both voters and poll workers, she said. After marking their candidate choice, special election voters had to feed their paper ballot into a tabulator/scanner for the vote to be cast. With the ballot marking devices, voters pick their candidates on a computer screen and then print out the resulting ballot, which they must review and feed into the tabulator/scanner. While each of the 186 precincts must still have a ballot marking device available for those with disabilities in the primary, Harvey said the plan she is proposing would reduce the county’s expense for Dominion Voting Systems Inc. to bring a team of 10 or so representatives here for two weeks to program and test all of the approximately 700 ballot marking devices.

Full Article: Luzerne County voters may be using paper ballots at polls on May 16 | The Sunday Dispatch