Article Summary –
Election experts and Pennsylvania state leaders emphasize the importance of ensuring public trust in the election results amid widespread disinformation, highlighting the security measures in place such as voter-verified paper ballots and strict voter registration processes. Pennsylvania utilizes robust mechanisms, including double-checking Social Security information and employing federal and state-mandated voter list maintenance, to ensure voter eligibility and maintain accurate voter rolls. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s election process is further secured by the use of paper ballots for audits, rigorous testing of voting equipment, and transparent audits conducted post-election, although the processing time for mail-in ballots means final results might take several days.
Election experts and state leaders stress the importance of Pennsylvania voters trusting the Nov. 5 election results amid a disinformation campaign by former President Trump and right-wing lawmakers. Ensuring voters’ trust is vital, especially with ongoing challenges to election integrity.
“Elections in Pennsylvania have never been more safe and secure, with a voter-verified paper ballot record of every vote that’s cast, whether you vote in person on Election Day or you vote by mail,” said Al Schmidt, Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth, in a CBS News interview.
Here’s how Pennsylvania’s election officials ensure election result accuracy.
Voter registration and voter roll maintenance
Pennsylvania voters undergo thorough vetting, according to Amy Widestrom of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. The league, a nonpartisan group, promotes government participation and educates the public on policy.
Widestrom explained that voter eligibility checks involve double-verifying Social Security data. “There are mechanisms in place that election officials follow to ensure that only those who register to vote can vote.”
Once registered, voters’ eligibility is continuously verified. Jeff Greenburg, senior adviser at the Committee of Seventy, noted Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are required by federal and state law to perform annual voter list maintenance, removing deceased or relocated individuals.
Paper record for voting
Following a 2018 settlement, Pennsylvania counties acquired voting machines generating verifiable paper records by 2020, crucial for election security.
Greenburg emphasized the importance of these paper ballots and auditing procedures in ensuring accurate election results. Election workers check paper ballots against electronic totals to verify machine accuracy.
Voting equipment storage, testing, and audits
Counties can only purchase state-examined voting machines, which must also be certified by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Greenburg explained that voting equipment is stored securely, accessible only to authorized personnel, and undergoes rigorous testing before elections.
To certify election results, counties conduct two audits post-election. One audit involves counting a random sample of ballots to match unofficial results. The second audit compares paper and machine-reported votes.
What to expect on election night
Pennsylvania is among seven states not allowing mail-in ballot processing until 7 a.m. on Election Day. Over 1 million mail-in ballots have been returned, with a majority from Democrats.
Widestrom warns processing mail-in, absentee, and provisional ballots will take time, but this delay doesn’t indicate problems. Greenburg expects 90-95% of ballots reported on election night, though close races may delay final results.
Additional resources
For more on Pennsylvania election security, visit:
- Pennsylvania Department of State’s website
- League of Women Voters’ website
- Committee of Seventy’s website
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