Pennsylvania governor unveils election security task force to mitigate threats to the 2024 vote | Adam Edelman/NBC

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is set to establish an Election Threats Task Force, led by Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, aimed at securing the 2024 vote from interference and misinformation. Comprising officials from multiple agencies, the task force’s primary goal is to coordinate plans and share intelligence to safeguard election integrity. This initiative follows previous challenges in Pennsylvania’s electoral process, including threats to election workers and the spread of misinformation during the 2020 race. Despite bipartisan efforts to enhance election security, legislative action to address issues like delayed ballot counting remains stalled in the divided Legislature. Read Article

Pennsylvania seeks legal costs from county that let outsiders access voting machines to help Trump | Mark Scolforo/Associated Press

In a protracted legal battle over voting machine examination in rural Pennsylvania, Secretary of State Al Schmidt is seeking reimbursement of $711,000 from Republican-controlled Fulton County officials, alleging obstruction and delays that incurred substantial legal fees. The state Supreme Court recently cautioned the officials against unilaterally providing voting equipment evidence to outside parties, prompting pushback from the county’s lawyer, who argued against court intervention in litigation involving Dominion Voting Systems Inc. Read Article

Pennsylvania election officials are bracing for another round of lawsuits, recount requests, and claims of fraud in 2024 | Gillian McGoldrick/Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania is gearing up for the anticipated turbulence of the upcoming presidential election, poised to play a pivotal role as a battleground state. With heightened scrutiny and potential legal battles looming, Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of State Al Schmidt are leading efforts to ensure a smooth electoral process. A bipartisan election task force, spearheaded by Schmidt, aims to address any threats to voter access or election integrity. While certain legal issues surrounding mail voting laws remain unresolved, officials are striving to provide clear guidance to voters and counties to mitigate confusion. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Turnover among election officials has cost nearly 300 years of experience | Carter Walker/Votebeat

Pennsylvania is facing a significant shortage of experienced election directors ahead of the presidential election, with 58 officials who served during the November 2019 election having left their positions. This departure represents a loss of 293 years of combined experience among the state’s top county election officials. The turnover has prompted concerns about potential mistakes, disenfranchisement of voters, and disputes over election results. Read Article

This Paennsylvania activist is the source of false and flawed election claims gaining traction across the country | Carter Walker/Votebeat

Heather Honey, an “election integrity” investigator from Pennsylvania, gained national attention among the far-right for her research, despite its numerous errors. Her claim that Pennsylvania had 205,000 more votes than voters during the 2020 election has been widely debunked, but it continues to be cited as fact by many. Honey’s flawed analysis has contributed to misinformation campaigns, undermining trust in election practices. Her recent focus on the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) led to several states withdrawing from the program, influenced by her misleading conclusions. Read Article

Pennsylvania: How an ‘Ice Cream Truck’ for Voting Could Stop Mail Ballots from Being Tossed | Alex Burness/Bolts

Neil Makhija, a former advocate for South Asian voter turnout and now a county commissioner in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, has taken on the task of securing voting rights from within the system. He aims to revolutionize the ballot curing process, proposing a mobile unit that would reach voters directly to resolve mail ballot errors, inspired by an “ice cream truck for voting” concept. Pennsylvania’s lack of statewide guidelines on ballot curing leaves counties with disparate approaches, with some, like Montgomery, making efforts to inform voters but still seeing a significant number of rejected ballots. Makhija’s proposal, though ambitious, has garnered support from voting rights advocates, who see it as a game-changer, but its implementation faces challenges in resource allocation and logistics. Read Article

Pennsylvania automatic voter registration boosts sign-ups, but not a political party, data shows | Marc Levy/Associated Press

New data from Pennsylvania’s automatic voter registration at driver’s license centers reveals a 45% increase in sign-ups compared to a similar period two years ago. The partisan mix of registrations under the new system shows that 35% opted for Republican, 31% for Democratic, and 34% for independent or a third party. The data challenges accusations by Donald Trump that Democrats would exploit the system. Pennsylvania’s new automatic voter registration system is currently facing a lawsuit from Republican lawmakers. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Republican lawmakers challenge state, federal actions to boost voter registration | Marc Levy/Associated Press

A group of 24 conservative state lawmakers in Pennsylvania filed a federal lawsuit challenging three voting-related executive branch actions, including a 2021 executive order by President Joe Biden that aimed to boost voter registration. The lawsuit challenges the legality of Biden’s executive order, as well as two state-level actions – the introduction of automatic voter registration by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and a 2018 state directive under then-Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. Read Article

Pennsylvania elections chief: Fixes coming to avoid errors that plagued Northampton County | Tom Shortell/Lehigh Valley News

Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt has expressed confidence that Northampton County is addressing the issues that led to problems in the 2023 general election. The issues, which involved voters casting emergency ballots due to problems with the ExpressVote XL voting machines, were attributed to human error rather than flaws in the voting system. Schmidt mentioned that the state is stepping up training and assistance for county election officials to prevent similar errors in future elections. The state is also revisiting guidance on logic and accuracy testing, considering the importance of manual testing, and establishing a training office for county election officials.Read Article

Pennsylvania: As 2024 election approaches, voting officials worry state isn’t prepared for misinformation | Kate HuangpuSpotlight PA

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, election officials in Pennsylvania are urging the state to update its century-old Election Code and make critical adjustments to mail voting processes to fortify the system against baseless fraud claims. The election directors are proposing changes like clarifying mail voting rules, allowing poll workers to count ballots before Election Day through pre-canvassing, updating the Election Code to reflect technological advancements, and imposing penalties for false claims and harassment of election officials. However, there is skepticism about the state legislature’s willingness to pass such changes, and the political divide on election issues persists. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Increase in ballot errors linked to loss of election worker experience | Carter Walker/Votebeat

Counties in Pennsylvania have experienced an increase in election administration errors impacting voters’ ballots, with 16 errors reported by 12 counties in the November municipal election, more than double the number of errors from any other election since 2019. The errors, including instructions to vote for the wrong number of candidates and races left off the ballot, are linked to turnover and the loss of experience at local election offices. The errors have raised concerns about voters’ trust in elections, especially in anticipation of a highly contentious presidential election in 2024. Election experts and the Department of State acknowledge that the increase is associated with new election administrators and staff turnover. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Cancellation of project to upgrade outdated voter roll system leaves election officials with no relief in sight | Carter Walker/Votebeat

Pennsylvania has canceled a planned upgrade to its outdated Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors (SURE), the system managing voter rolls. This decision, affecting the upcoming presidential election, has left officials frustrated with the obsolete SURE system, citing frequent outages and malfunctions. The cancellation of the $10.7 million contract with KNOWiNK was based on concerns that the vendor wouldn’t meet timelines and contractual standards. The SURE system, introduced in 2003, lacks compatibility with modern requirements, like tracking mail ballots, causing delays and complications for election administrators. Read Article

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