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Officials cite improved mail‑ballot envelopes, poll‑worker training and funding mechanics for special elections
Summary
Department officials said redesigned mail‑ballot and provisional‑ballot envelopes and new county training have reduced rejection rates; lawmakers also discussed special‑election reimbursements (executive authorization requested at $400,000) and DCED grant reporting concerns under Act 88.
The Department of State told the Appropriations Committee it has redesigned mail‑ballot and provisional‑ballot envelopes to highlight required voter information and reduce fatal‑defect rejections. Secretary Al Schmidt said the changes have already led to a significant decrease in rejection rates.
"We redesigned the mail ballot envelope to bring attention to what is required from voters... and have now had a couple of elections behind us that have shown it having a significant decrease in rejection rates for voters," Schmidt said.
Representatives also pressed the department about poll‑worker recruitment and turnover. Schmidt said the department created a training unit for county partners to provide consistent training to poll workers and new county officials; he noted Philadelphia alone needs thousands of precinct volunteers and acknowledged the turnover challenge.
On special elections, the department requested $400,000 in executive authorization for county special‑election expenses in fiscal 26‑27 (down from $1,000,000 in the current year). Schmidt said the number was chosen based on a review of past reimbursements; statute determines when special elections occur and the legislature decides scheduling.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about Act 88 election grants administered by DCED and new post‑award reporting forms that counties find unfamiliar. Deputy Secretary Jonathan Marks said the Department of State conducts office hours with counties and invites DCED to collaborate to streamline reporting where possible, but that DCED administers the grants and the department does not control the forms.
