What a difference transparency makes.
There is a crisis of confidence in Pennsylvania’s elections. There are many reports and social media posts about election observers being denied meaningful observation. This erodes confidence and raises suspicion.
I had the opportunity to observe the processing of mail-in and provisional ballots at the Westmoreland County Election Office during the recent primary election.
Arriving with proper credentials, I was greeted professionally and escorted to the room. The rules were explained, and I took my place behind a roped-off area. Shortly thereafter, the manager, director and others offered explanations of the process at various stations.
The election workers displayed confidence, pride and a structured process with checks and balances. When issues arose, they diligently worked to identify and rectify the root cause. Throughout the day, the director and manager provided detailed answers to my questions. This welcoming experience was repeated when I returned to observe the review of provisional ballots. I gained a much richer understanding of the process.
Instead of thinking “What have they got to hide?” the actions of the Westmoreland County election staff conveyed “We have nothing to hide, let us help you understand.”
Transparency and meaningful observation can go a long way to restore confidence in Pennsylvania elections. Other counties should follow Westmoreland County’s best practices to ensure transparency, report discrepancies and commit to continuous improvements.
What a difference transparency makes. Kudos to the excellent team in Westmoreland County Elections!
Rebecca Kardell
Murrysville