Resident raises staffing and management concerns about county Voter Services office
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Summary
A resident told commissioners that the Chester County Voter Services office has experienced high staff turnover and alleged management problems, and called for accountability and public records on expenditures; commissioners did not take immediate action during the meeting.
During the public comment period, Elizabeth Seeb of Kallen Township addressed the Board of Commissioners with allegations about the management of the county Voter Services office and its director, identified in the record as Karen Barsoum.
Seeb said the office omitted a race from the 2025 primary ballot and said the county Board of Elections chair, Josh Maxwell, apologized at the prior Board of Elections meeting. She criticized the Voter Services director’s handling of staff and internal processes and alleged high turnover: "In the 4 years since she was made director, 27 individuals have either quit, then forced out, or terminated. 27 out of a full staff of about 22," Seeb said. She urged the commissioners to investigate and to consider public records requests for expenditures she described as excessive, including purchases of more than 230 cell phones and an EasyVote poll worker software purchase of $28,000 that she said was canceled and never utilized.
Seeb also said staff surveys about workplace treatment had not produced apparent remedial action and alleged that human resources shared survey respondent identities with management, leading to fears of retaliation. She asked the commissioners to "do better" and to address the concerns of Voter Services staff and taxpayers. The board took no immediate action during the meeting; the public comment ended after the three-minute time limit.
