Voter Roll Controversy Sparks Heated Public Debate
August 27, 2024 | Delaware County, Pennsylvania
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During a recent meeting of the Delaware County Board of Elections, significant concerns were raised regarding the integrity of voter rolls and the management of voter registration processes. The discussions highlighted discrepancies in the number of ballots produced since the 2020 election, with claims that the county is short approximately 303,400 ballots after four years of operations.
Public comments included allegations of unqualified voters remaining on the rolls, with one resident, Joy Schwartz, citing a lack of complaints about illegal migrants on the voter rolls despite the presence of an estimated 15 million newcomers. Schwartz urged the board to maintain the integrity of the voter rolls, emphasizing the importance of removing ineligible voters, particularly in light of the National Voter Registration Act's stipulations regarding systematic purges within 90 days of a federal election.
Board members responded to these concerns by clarifying that maintenance of voter rolls is an ongoing process, with daily updates and removals based on confirmed changes in residency or status. They emphasized that while systematic removals are restricted close to elections, exceptions exist for deceased individuals and those who have moved out of the jurisdiction.
Another resident, Josie Sastek, raised issues regarding outdated records, noting that over 14,000 voters had moved out of the county, and questioned the effectiveness of current maintenance efforts. She also proposed a method for hand-counting ballots as a verification measure, which the board acknowledged as a potential topic for future discussion.
The board reiterated its commitment to ensuring accurate voter registration and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, referencing past litigation that confirmed their practices were in compliance with federal laws. They encouraged public engagement and transparency, inviting residents to review previous discussions on these topics available online.
As the election approaches, the board remains focused on addressing public concerns while adhering to legal frameworks governing voter registration and maintenance.
Public comments included allegations of unqualified voters remaining on the rolls, with one resident, Joy Schwartz, citing a lack of complaints about illegal migrants on the voter rolls despite the presence of an estimated 15 million newcomers. Schwartz urged the board to maintain the integrity of the voter rolls, emphasizing the importance of removing ineligible voters, particularly in light of the National Voter Registration Act's stipulations regarding systematic purges within 90 days of a federal election.
Board members responded to these concerns by clarifying that maintenance of voter rolls is an ongoing process, with daily updates and removals based on confirmed changes in residency or status. They emphasized that while systematic removals are restricted close to elections, exceptions exist for deceased individuals and those who have moved out of the jurisdiction.
Another resident, Josie Sastek, raised issues regarding outdated records, noting that over 14,000 voters had moved out of the county, and questioned the effectiveness of current maintenance efforts. She also proposed a method for hand-counting ballots as a verification measure, which the board acknowledged as a potential topic for future discussion.
The board reiterated its commitment to ensuring accurate voter registration and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, referencing past litigation that confirmed their practices were in compliance with federal laws. They encouraged public engagement and transparency, inviting residents to review previous discussions on these topics available online.
As the election approaches, the board remains focused on addressing public concerns while adhering to legal frameworks governing voter registration and maintenance.
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