(12/2019) Election reform is finally coming to Pennsylvania. It is about time we had some changes, but there is still more work to do. Below is an except from the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania’s (CCAP) monthly newsletter to county commissioners. After reading it, I will unpack some of the information and lay out a few more recommended changes to PA election law that I wish the state would implement. Many of the recommendations, both approved in this new law and yet to be discussed, come from the CCAP election reform committee.

On Oct. 31, Gov. Wolf signed SB 421 into law which includes a number of election reform measures as well as $90 million in bonds for the purpose of reimbursing counties for 60% of the cost of purchasing new voting systems… In addition to the funding, other welcome reform measures in Act 77 include creation of a new mail-in ballot provision that would effectively be a no-fault absentee ballot, changes in ballot printing requirements sought by counties to reduce wasted resources and unnecessary cost, and a provision to prohibit the use of stickers for write-in candidates.

Other provisions change the deadline for registration to 15 days in advance of the election, change the deadlines for absentee ballots, eliminate straight party voting, and incorporate a concept from prior legislation to require the Department of State to file with the legislature if it intends to decertify election systems affecting more than 50% of the counties. Counties will also be required to post sample ballots on their publicly accessible websites and to pay poll workers an additional amount of their choosing for attending training, and to pay election judges an additional amount of their choosing for carrying materials to the polls."

The total cost for the new election equipment was $456,800. The State is sending a check for $274,128 and the county has already received federal funds totaling $110,078. The actual county share will only be $72,594. This is great for county taxpayers. Over the past few years our equipment has begun to show its age, with more failing to turn on, routine paper jams, and other minor issues that would slow down the election process. I estimate that within five years, the county would have had to replace the voting equipment. Having the extra sixty percent from the state was great timing for us. Other great news is with the type of equipment we purchased. We decided to remain with our current vendor and simply upgrade to more modern state certified equipment, which still provides a paper trail. Unlike other counties, our voters and poll workers will barely notice a difference. For counties just now going to paper ballots, this transition will make for a rough presidential primary.

The rest of the election reform bill focused on efforts to make voting easier or to non-politicize the voting process. Moving the last date to become registered closer to the election is a mixed blessing. While it gives residents more time to get registered and make their voices heard, it will put a time crunch on our election office to have those ballots tabulated. Likewise pushing back the date for absentee ballots and allowing for no-excuse absentee voting, gives voters more time to vote prior to the election. please take advantage of no excuse absentee voting. Next year will be a huge voter turnout, voting early is the best way to avoid the line. I intend to exercise this right.

Lastly, and most importantly to me is the removal of straight party voting from the ballot. Thomas Jefferson once said that "An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people." That is true now, more than ever. When it comes to politics, I firmly believe in three things. All Democrats are not the same, all Republicans are not the same, and always vote for the most qualified candidate.

When I knock on doors, I am constantly shocked by how few super voters (voters who vote in every election) do not know their municipal, county, or state elected officials. While this is by no means scientific, in my personal experience less than one in four voters know for whom they are voting. If you can name any of your municipal officials, all three county commissioners, and your state representative, I applaud you for being the "educated citizenry" Thomas Jefferson envisioned would make America a great nation. If you cannot, please take the time to learn about the candidates for whom you are voting, it matters.

And lastly, lest you believe that the state somehow got everything right on this new election law, I need to add a touch of grey to Act 77. The largest issue they failed to address is campaign finance reform. When it comes to election finance in PA, it is a free for all. While it is still illegal for corporations and foreign nationals to donate to candidates, there is no limit to how much a person can donate to a candidate for any state, county, or local office. At the state level, this means that wealthy individuals can keep important bills from ever getting to a vote. On the local level it means there is limit to the influence peddling that large donors can insert into local decisions.

Both sides of the aisle in Harrisburg do not want to see campaign finance reform. So, while I will applaud our state officials for doing the right things in helping to pay for election equipment and making the process run smoother, on the biggest election issue, they get a big old zero. And don’t get me started on gerrymandering.

As always let me know if you have any concerns. I work for you am available at 717-339-6514 or e-mail me at martyqually@gmail.com.