What's Happening?
Chester County has engaged a West Chester-based law firm, Fleck Eckert Klein McGarry, LLC, to investigate the omission of over 75,000 third-party voters from the Election Day poll books. This issue affected
nearly 20% of the county's electorate, including voters registered as Independent, Libertarian, Green Party, Non-Partisan, and those with no affiliation. The investigation will involve discussions with individuals involved in the preparation, review, and distribution of the poll books, as well as an examination of internal communications within the Department of Voter Services. The firm is expected to submit a written report by December 19, with a public presentation scheduled for a Chester County Board of Elections meeting in mid-to-late January.
Why It's Important?
The omission of a significant number of voters from the poll books raises concerns about electoral integrity and the effective administration of elections. This incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in the electoral process that could undermine public confidence in the system. The investigation aims to identify the root causes of the error and ensure that similar issues do not recur in future elections. The outcome of this investigation could lead to changes in how voter information is managed and verified, potentially impacting election procedures not only in Chester County but also serving as a case study for other jurisdictions.
What's Next?
The law firm will conduct a thorough investigation and is expected to deliver a report by December 19. Following the report, a public presentation will be held in January to discuss the findings and recommendations. This meeting will be open to the public to encourage transparency and community involvement. Depending on the investigation's findings, there may be calls for reforms in the voter registration and poll book preparation processes. Stakeholders, including political leaders and civil society groups, may push for policy changes to prevent future occurrences.
