[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6604870,"mediaKeyId","3294556-82f21d1717416b6ab9bdada44eff196c","parentId",3294556,"title","Board counsel outlines federal litigation on undated mail ballots and explains potential impacts of SAVE Act legislation","audioSeconds",552,"startMs",11328000,"endMs",11880000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3294556-82f21d1717416b6ab9bdada44eff196c&start=11328&end=11880","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3294556-82f21d1717416b6ab9bdada44eff196c/thumbnail_11328000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6604870/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Board-counsel-outlines-federal-litigation-on-undated-mail-ballots-and-explains-potential-impacts-of-SAVE-Act-legislation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604870-4572ac54a6b1eb70b2e4ec5d483b721c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771003461&Signature=NaBLMOtYn-5ysdf7bsErew-Rq9x2497Ttm3w~GDjgpQsbwrFerIIY-vsnWzOgJuz1bdUbsGxyTR7QQRHXvvkHmZnAFRcagwEGJEx2YxpwaSFOE2rTxi8q64iLe6opo3CgW~tAaeAsGtCviHv2Ie0lSBAOr2qV8KjkAaSiCihAdu2CNGYyNvZG8xbxTvFQY4cBrylJOlmSphlMqO5kZBmh8rFdpVT7ru7fo2BIzvGnpSn-RpKNT2bWYsy5RQF~oT4d1skdaDCZPot9tqPGyVFhC4uRvo0sRAgG-RmxevZA1YCvdwXUv9dOOLxrAbLMXIc1DllX89l77NEgPWl9hONrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Delaware County, PA","date","2025-04-11T00:00:00Z","article","Delaware County legal counsel briefed the Board of Elections April 11 on two items that could affect election administration: an appealed federal court ruling about undated and misdated mail‑ballot envelopes and pending federal legislation known as the SAVE Act.

On the court matter, counsel said the district‑court proceeding in the Western District of Pennsylvania (case cited by counsel) previously involved a Civil Rights Act claim about refusing to count mail ballots with missing or incorrect dates on outer envelopes. The Third Circuit earlier reversed the district court on that legal theory; the district court then issued an alternative ruling under constitutional grounds. Counsel said that a new appeal is now pending in the Third Circuit (appellate docket cited as No. 25‑1644) and that, so far, no court has ordered county election boards in Pennsylvania to segregate or otherwise treat undated/misdated outer envelopes differently. He said the county will comply with any court order if one is issued.

Counsel also described the SAVE Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate for voter registration in some circumstances. He explained practical and administrative complications: many state‑issued driver’s licenses do not explicitly indicate U.S. citizenship, and the law — as drafted in public comment — could require registry staff to accept and validate diverse birth‑certificate formats or other primary documents. Counsel noted the Pennsylvania Department of State has submitted comments expressing concerns about the law’s administrative burden and the potential for disenfranchising registrants who lack immediate access to primary documents.

Why it matters: A Third Circuit order or a new federal statute that changes registration documentation standards would require operational changes and could trigger litigation. Counsel said the county will follow court orders and that staff are monitoring legislative developments.

What the board heard: Counsel gave a factual, non‑editorial summary of the litigation timeline and the SAVE Act’s possible effects on proof of citizenship and voter registration workflow. He recommended continued monitoring and compliance with any judicial directives.

Direct quote: “The president does not have the authority to force any state to change its election law,” counsel said when addressing a presidential executive order referenced in public comment; he recommended waiting for statutory or court action before operational changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Elections Public Meeting 4.11.25","oneSentenceSummary","County solicitor updated the board on an appealed Western District of Pennsylvania decision about undated or misdated mail‑ballot envelopes and summarized how the SAVE Act — pending in Congress — could change voter registration documentary requirements if enacted.","taxTitle","Delaware County, Pennsylvania","taxId",52111,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6604873,"Observers press Delaware County for clearer rules on logic-and-accuracy testing and ballot processing transparency",1318,152000,1470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3294556-82f21d1717416b6ab9bdada44eff196c&start=152&end=1470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3294556-82f21d1717416b6ab9bdada44eff196c/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6604873/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Observers-press-Delaware-County-for-clearer-rules-on-logic-and-accuracy-testing-and-ballot-processing-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604873-659b3f91d2a29d303c5a60e56de0915e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771003461&Signature=SUvb98n4rI5xZPO6w4bpLivCBoc7BYCdEljAo6RbzSLngj7D-4z7SlCGfJiDNVY1ofDnnQ9tfi67vP-qorAVgyH4T2KwMEXs-BU3jodooSD6wgey1ENfnD9dNVLP57gmmrrec-f4WaubVGTz3S99i90ThoIhzi1NyLWC98tGTddcsEW9qMGPMjw0o8qyZ3f4IvXXtYlDjjMIn4DeiwcNJgKbgC6tyKwkQbfKU6EMUChdOvdiEsyMbDcLGvLW2bnv7Gs1zZvO3LMWwKBunXeasasJaL8uqv1dZHoLxVdlLtdS0~gfkrQCVzGKuNAnsDLc1zsOGsYASTq88BNsTlAN6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A swarm of public commenters at the April 11 Delaware County Board of Elections meeting urged changes to observation policies for election operations, testing and ballot processing and pressed county staff for more public data on mail‑ballot handling.

Speakers including Scott Thomas, Joy Schwartz of the League of Women Voters of Central Delaware County and independent observers asked the county to allow up to three representatives from an organized group to observe logic-and-accuracy (L&A) testing — citing what they said was a state law entitlement — to permit brief close viewing of machine displays during a test cycle, and to allow photography where unrelated to chain‑of‑custody codes. Thomas and others specifically requested routine hash-code checks and test procedures be visible to observers.

Several observers also described perceived discrepancies during processing at the county’s mail‑ballot facility (the Wharf) and asked for more visible sorting and count verification. Laura Lewis, an observer who said she watched MIB (mail‑in ballot) processing at the Wharf, summarized her group’s tallying effort and said machine totals recorded by the county exceeded observers’ visual estimates of ballots processed by a significant margin; she asked the county to post per‑tray counts and BlueCrest sorter camera images to allow independent verification.

Director James Allen and other staff responded that Pennsylvania law permits the county to adopt reasonable rules for observation but also cited operational limits. Allen said the county enforces rules at different testing steps (noting that “hash testing” is not a statutorily required step and the county performs it as an internal practice) and that camera, phone and bag restrictions have been applied selectively at different events, depending on the testing type and security concerns. Allen said authorized representatives are allowed under statute to attend testing but that logistics, proximity and machine positioning affect what an observer can actually see.

Other speakers recommended publishing daily drop‑box chain‑of‑custody logs and BlueCrest sorter throughput numbers and attaching timestamps or images so the public can reconcile delivered ballots and machine counts. Several speakers also urged expanded return‑board review of mail‑in/absentee ballots (one speaker referred to 25 Pennsylvania Code §3154(c) as a statute governing return‑board duties), noting that, historically, absentee ballots were reconciled at the precinct level and suggesting additional checks to detect discrepancies.

Why it matters: Transparent L&A testing and clear, verifiable chain‑of‑custody records are central to public trust in elections. Observers said limited visibility and camera prohibitions can make testing feel “meaningless,” while county staff said they must balance transparency with ballot security and statutory requirements.

Staff response and next steps: Allen said staff will continue to follow statutory rules and internal procedures, and will compile and provide some operational data (for example, counts of military absentee applications and summary chain‑of‑custody data when available). He also said he would raise observers’ requests with statewide election‑administrator committees to push for consistent practices across counties.

Direct quotes: “When we're upstairs, they're not really needed because we're really close,” Scott Thomas said of binoculars used during prior L&A sessions; Joy Schwartz of the League of Women Voters said the proposed SAVE Act “would significantly disrupt existing voter registration practices.”

Unresolved questions: Observers asked for routine hash‑code testing on all machines and clearer written observation rules that apply consistently to all authorized watchers; county staff acknowledged they will review their procedures but did not commit to wholesale policy changes during the meeting.","Multiple residents and voter groups urged the county to loosen observation restrictions during logic-and-accuracy testing, allow limited close viewing and photographs of non-sensitive displays, publish BlueCrest sorter counts and chain-of-custody data, and expand return-board scrutiny of mail ballots.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6604878,"Delaware County board approves multiple polling-place changes, transfers equipment and waives one finance penalty",3890,3270000,7160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3294556-82f21d1717416b6ab9bdada44eff196c&start=3270&end=7160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3294556-82f21d1717416b6ab9bdada44eff196c/thumbnail_3270000.jpg","/articles/6604878/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Delaware-County-board-approves-multiple-polling-place-changes-transfers-equipment-and-waives-one-finance-penalty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604878-cdb0c2b5b827ee003ec5eda7574c60ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771003461&Signature=Ui3O7otOBX0SMZR9BpEufS-bogPHykhpFZ8lRxxAiPjMcy8q6k-PXrcIR77nIMfs0oZuSWM6A7oKD2-X0ckhoNFGa67Uz8xjbNqJQwwq7K6RTSKBWlCcORY0sEzVIQ0VcuzPMz226eBfd2MGlwGnzFl5gW4Bbn8N2H~fIcskUFyctPxoXaSk4H6mbGesuK7Nl1ISsKN6ZNrv2UWb056yQRQTp4MsPkBxsMo-i-4EqqZERw7yIb6A3~xAsXwmLiCIuuZN-bhuYfe~GOsa3hoHIHZlHmZkEdYeAhearDSDE8FtEL0CoxWzux9oVnm~2Pw1~~rn99HTd-oSYbAmPvPkeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Delaware County Board of Elections on April 11 approved a set of changes to polling locations and several administrative items after extended public comment about safety, accessibility and neutrality at some sites.

Board members voted 2–1 to direct staff to move the Parkside precinct from the Parkside Fire Company to Parkside Elementary School “when circumstances permit,” following a petition and competing public testimony about intimidation, accessibility and the firehouse’s long use as a polling place. Director of Elections James Allen presented warehouse surveys and recommended the school as meeting Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and offering more parking.

The board also voted 2–1 to move Darby Borough precincts 21 and 22 from Penwood (William Penn) Middle School to the Darby Recreation/Community Center. Board staff said the middle school’s gym required staff guidance to help voters navigate long interior corridors and an uneven elevation; the recreation center was surveyed as closer to street-level entrances and easier parking.

Separately the board approved, by voice vote, a block of additional primary-era site adjustments for Chester City, Marcus Hook, Aston and Radnor precincts (motion carried; tally 3–0). Those moves were presented as site-availability responses (roof repairs, school schedules, graduation and other logistical conflicts) and described as either temporary or adopted for the May primary.

On other administrative items the board approved the repurposing/transfer of a decommissioned camera pole, battery and solar panel originally used at a removed drop-box site to the East Lansdowne Police Department (unanimous voice approval); and the board granted a campaign finance waiver for Angela Salmons (Upper Chichester Democratic Committee) because of documented family illness (motion carried 3–0). The county also posted a current “failure to file” campaign finance list outside the Bureau of Elections office, staff said.

Why it matters: The decisions affect where thousands of voters will cast ballots in the May primary and how the bureau will communicate changes. Director Allen said approved moves will be posted in the voter database and new voter cards mailed to affected registrants; staff also said they will coordinate with school or municipal facility managers to confirm logistics and timing.

Public comment and staff response: Supporters of moving Parkside emphasized claims of a ‘‘nonneutral’’ atmosphere at the firehouse and cited crowding, signage and a bench incident that made some voters uncomfortable. Opponents — including Parkside Fire Company leaders and longtime poll workers — said the fire company has hosted elections for decades, offers multiple accessible entrances and provides on-site medical assistance and volunteer help. School-district counsel Michael Pupio asked for additional time for the district to vet and schedule use of school facilities; the board’s motion allowed staff discretion to confirm the school’s availability before a final transfer for the May primary.

Votes at a glance
- Move Parkside precinct to Parkside Elementary when circumstances permit — motion approved (yes 2, no 1).
- Move Darby Borough precincts 21 & 22 to Darby Recreation/Community Center — motion approved (yes 2, no 1).
- Additional primary-time site moves (Chester City 12 & 18 to Hunt’s Haven; Marcus Hook 1 to Kurt Walden Community Center; Aston 1 to Brooder Gymnasium at Neumann University; Radnor 5.2 to a nearby JCHAI site) — motion approved (yes 3, no 0).
- Transfer camera pole/battery/solar panel to East Lansdowne Police Department — approved (voice).
- Waiver of campaign finance filing fee for Angela Salmons (Upper Chichester Democratic Committee) — approved (yes 3, no 0).

What happens next: Staff said they will update the voter database and issue mailed notice cards showing new polling locations for affected voters. For moves described as subject to “circumstances” (Parkside), staff will confirm facility availability and any operational constraints before making the change effective; the board retained final authority if the facility owner objects.

No litigation outcomes or legal stays were imposed on the board’s actions; board counsel reiterated that the board must follow any court-ordered stays if and when issued.","After public comment on accessibility and neutrality, the Delaware County Board of Elections voted to move several polling places (including Parkside and two Darby precincts), approved other temporary site moves, authorized transfer of decommissioned surveillance equipment to East Lansdowne Police, and waived a campaign finance filing fee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board counsel outlines federal litigation on undated mail ballots and explains potential impacts of SAVE Act legislation

Observers press Delaware County for clearer rules on logic-and-accuracy testing and ballot processing transparency

Delaware County board approves multiple polling-place changes, transfers equipment and waives one finance penalty