I am writing in response to the recent article in the Times Leader, “Luzerne County to Explore Voting System Options.”
In this article, there is no valid reason given as to why a change of current voting machines is necessary. These mandated, state-approved “paper-trail” voting machines were just purchased in 2019 at a price tag of $3.6 million. They have only been used for 10 elections (and two special elections). Throughout all of my term on the election board, there was never any discussion on behalf of the election bureau leadership of the voting machines being of concern or having issues as a whole.
The problems with the election issues that have happened over the last several years were from “human error” not “voting machine issues.”
Adding this unnecessary financial burden to the taxpayers for something that is not needed at this time would be completely irresponsible and unjustified.
What is needed over the next several years is for the election bureau leadership to have a period of calm and stability — without major changes — in order to concentrate on increasing and improving their knowledge and performance of their roles. In addition, creation of “multiple person” checks and balances to prevent continued human errors in the election processes is required.
These voting machines still have a lot of life left in them. The county council should choose the option of negotiating a new maintenance and support contract with Dominion and determine a plan for the future funding of new voting machines when the voting machines are closer to the end of their life. At some point, all of the other 66 counties that also were mandated by the state legislature to purchase paper-trail-approved voting machines five years ago will need to upgrade their systems. The Pennsylvania Deptartment of State and the Pennsylvania State Legislature will no doubt be a part of this conversation with all of the counties.
— Denise Williams, former Luzerne County Election Board chair
Kingston Township
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