County Commissioner Jim Martin

(11/2022) It’s that time of year, time to vote for our elected representatives. Voting is a solemn right and we should use it knowledgeably and wisely. Much more than darkening an oval, voting is choosing one candidate over another. That choice needs to be based upon research of the candidates and their positions and values. Their positions and values will affect how they vote as our representatives.

How will they vote on stacking the U.S. Supreme Court, on abolishing the filibuster and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), on defunding police, on policies to curb inflation, on legislation to promote energy independence, on stopping the flow of illegal drugs coming across our boarders? Find out where the candidates stand on these and other issues. Pennsylvania will be voting on only four offices, U.S. Senator, U.S. Congressman, Governor and State Representative. This fall’s ballot will likely be one of the shortest we have had and voter lines should move quickly.

As we approached the coming General Election, there was considerable court action about ballots, mainly mail-in/absentee ballots. The Pennsylvania Law states that mail-in and absentee ballots that arrive with inaccurate or non-existent dates are not to be counted. The U.S. Supreme Court also ruled that ballots received must have accurate dates to be counted. Then this matter was argued in lower-level courts. The resulting decision of this battle was opposite of State Law. The 3rd Circuit court ruled that the handwritten date was immaterial, and ballots received without the date are to be counted. Pennsylvania Department of State has provided the same guidance even though they acknowledge that the law requires a signature. I discuss this as one example of the confusion brought into our state elections through the courts’ interpretation of ACT 77. To restore election integrity, ACT 77 needs to be repealed. Ask your candidates where they stand on this issue.

One mail-in ballot law that has not been questioned is the requirement that ballots must arrive enclosed in the secrecy envelope. A ballot that arrives not in a secrecy envelope is not counted. Another ballot infraction that occurs is having two or more ballots in one secrecy envelope. When two or more ballots arrive in one secrecy envelope, none of the ballots are counted. So, when using a mail-in/absentee ballot be sure to place only one ballot in each envelope.

Will there be any more legal challenges regarding dates and signatures before or after the coming General Election? Presently there are undecided suits filed against the state regarding election law. Also, close elections could precipitate a legal challenge. Do not leave anything to doubt when submitting a mail-in/absentee ballot. Be sure your handwritten date and signature are on the mailing envelope. Do not forget to use your secrecy envelope; without it your vote will not count. That is the law.

One final precaution, do not mail your mail-in/absentee ballot too close to election day. Remember, your ballot must arrive at the courthouse by 8 p.m. election day or it will not be counted. We are aware of mail-in situations of ballots taking seven or more days to reach the courthouse. When mail is sent from our area Post Offices it is sent directly to Harrisburg for sorting and distribution. As a safeguard to ensure your mail-in ballot arrives on time, voters have the option to bring their ballot to the courthouse and place it in the lobby drop box.

If a voter decides to vote in person rather than use their main-in ballot, they may do so. To do so the voter must bring their complete mail-in packet (envelopes included) with them to their poll on election day. That packet of materials must then be surrendered to the election poll judge in exchange for a new ballot. That ballot is then voted and taken to the scanner/counter. It you have any questions about the process, please contact the county elections office.

Recently I had the rare opportunity to attend a special event that featured Dr. Ben Carson as the keynote speaker. Dr. Carson is a world-renowned neurosurgeon who served for nearly 30 years at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. During this time, he performed many remarkable and near impossible surgeries. His exceptional ability led President Trump to nominate him for U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Dr. Carson is also a well know defender of life from womb to the tomb which gave rise to his founding the American Cornerstone Institute.

Dr. Carson’s speech described his life with a dedicated mother working domestically early morning to late at night to support the family. Her wisdom led Dr. Carson to go from the bottom of his class to the top. By her direction he read many challenging books and articles. In his readings concerning slavery, he realized many human beings were being treated like property. He found this to be the same pattern found in abortion; human beings treated like property. To him abortion is not a bipartisan issue, but a moral issue and he stands in defense of the unborn and providing hope for women in a dilemma with their pregnancy.

In 2008 Dr. Carson received the highest civilian award, Presidential Medal of Freedom. As a matter of fact, because of his exceptionalism I signed his petition to be placed on the Primary Ballot for the President of the United States. Many of us will probably not be the exceptional person that Dr. Carson is, but for me, and I hope for others he serves as a true encouragement to raise the bar for accomplishments in our lives.