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Resident urges Lebanon County to notify voters before election day about flawed mail ballots
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Summary
At the March 15 commissioners meeting, Michael Schroeder asked the board to direct the county elections office to segregate and notify voters whose mail‑in ballots show visible errors so legitimate votes can be preserved; the election board chair scheduled the issue for the April 2 election board meeting.
Michael Schroeder of South Danville Township urged the Lebanon County Board of Commissioners on March 15 to adopt a process that would notify voters before election day when their mail‑in ballots show visible errors, such as a missing signature, missing date or problems with the secrecy envelope.
Schroeder told the board that about 54 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties already separate ballots with visible errors into a separate pile, attempt to notify affected voters and allow them to resolve the problem or cast a provisional ballot. ‘‘The whole impulse here is to just make sure that everybody’s vote is counted,’’ Schroeder said, noting that the number of affected ballots is small but can be decisive in tight contests.
The election board chair, who identified himself as chairman of the election board, said the county will place the topic on the election board agenda for its April 2 meeting so the office can study Schroeder’s proposal and report back. The chairman said the discussion should allow time to consider legal issues and logistics and emphasized the obligation of voters as well as the goal of counting legitimate ballots.
The board did not adopt an immediate policy change at the commissioners meeting; the issue will next be considered by the election board at its scheduled April 2 session, when staff from the elections office are expected to provide details about feasible procedures and any legal constraints.
