Residents in Westmoreland County have the option of voting in person at our polling places, via mail-in ballot, or early in person at the courthouse. There are many election rumors and misconceptions that circulate on social media, but as the Westmoreland County District 12 Chair, I want to separate fact from fiction.
I have personally taken the time to observe the testing/validation of the voting equipment used in polling places, as well as that used for counting main-in ballots. The process our county uses for testing is meticulous, thorough, and is not rushed (it takes an entire day for the thousand plus polling place machines), and the mail-in ballot machines tested on a separate day are just as carefully tested to ensure they are accurate in reading what voters mark on them by hand as well. There is also a manual process the Election Bureau uses for any mail-in ballots that are kicked out because of an error reading them.
Voting in Person:
I have taken the time in multiple elections to serve as a Poll Watcher, something I’d encourage conservative voters able to dedicate time on Election Day to consider participating in to better understand what happens in our polling places before, during, and after the polls close on election day. There are clear instructions given to our Judges of Election and Poll workers, and Poll Watchers. And there are checks and balances in place to make every effort to ensure voting in person is secure. Vote totals at the end of the day are checked against the number of voters checked in the poll books. When the polls close at the end of the day, all the equipment, the ballot boxes, spoiled ballots, provisional ballots, and any mail in ballots surrendered to the Judge of Election to vote in person are locked up and secured with seals that cannot be removed without destroying them. If anyone were to tamper with those between the polling place and the Election Bureau drop-off point at the courthouse it would be evident because the assigned seal number would not match.
Voters should realize up front that we do not use the Dominion Voting Machines that are frequently questioned on social media. I can’t confirm or deny issues with that voting equipment, but it is irrelevant with voting in Westmoreland County because we do not use that type, enough said on that.
The voting equipment used in our county lets you complete your ballot electronically, then prints out a card that is for all intents and purposes a paper ballot, because in the event of a need for a recount those are what are used as the votes of record for recounts. What is important as a voter is to check the review screen to make sure that what you checked is correct before printing your ballot card, and then to double check your ballot card to make sure that is what is printed out too. If the printout does not match, do not place any ballot with errors into the scanner, ask to speak to the Judge of Elections to have that ballot spoiled and to start over completing your ballot.
Voting Via Mail-In Ballot:
Westmoreland County does not use unattended drop-off boxes as is done in some other states or in other counties in Pennsylvania, but still, we recognize that the opposing party votes via mail at a much higher percentage than conservatives do. Every vote is important, so we highly encourage that voters request mail-in ballots to keep all three voting options open to cover unforeseen situations.
Mailing the ballot in is clearly an option to consider. If you decide to vote this way, your unique ballot allows you to track the status of your vote online. If you vote by mail, you can confirm your vote was received and processed. The only way your vote would not be counted is if it is received after the election, so regardless of the last dates that may show as permitted to send in a mail-in ballot, we encourage voters to send those in well in advance of the cutoff to be sure you vote arrives on time.
If you have a mail-om ballot, you also then have the option of voting early at the Election Bureau Office at the County Courthouse. With your ballot in hand and your valid ID proving that you are dropping off your own ballot, it only takes a few minutes to vote early once that window of opportunity opens for voting. I personally tested the process of voting early in the November 2024 election, and while you can go in and request to receive a mail-in ballot on that same day, there is a waiting period while the staff confirms your status if you do not already have your ballot. Having requested a mail-in ballot early and using it speeds up voting in person.
The third option requesting a mail-in ballot provides is that you can take your unused ballot to your regular polling place, surrender it to the Judge of Elections there, it is then spoiled and accounted for, and you are permitted to vote in person just as if you normally would vote.
Provisional Ballots:
If you show up at the polling place and do not show up in the poll book, if the book erroneously shows that you voted by mail-in ballot, or if you are at the wrong polling place because something has changed, you have a right to vote by a provisional ballot at the polling place, do not just depart without completing a provisional ballot, unless it is to go to your correct polling place. The Judge of Elections should first contact the Election Bureau and confirm if there is an error in the book or if you are registered to vote elsewhere.
Votes cast by provisional ballots go through a careful validation process to determine if an individual is registered to vote, to confirm that a vote was not cast a different way, and to determine where if the provisional ballot is correctly completed the vote should be sent to for the purpose of counting it.
This process is completed after election day, but verified provisional ballots are counted before the election is certified. Every provisional ballot is reviewed by a team consisting of a member of both political parties to make a count/no count decision. The political parties and candidates have the option to have legal representation present to review and if necessary, challenge the decisions made by the bi-party review teams. I have also participated in this process as well to ensure that it is conducted properly. Correctly completed and validated provisional ballots are counted, even in situations where they need to then be counted under a different precinct or sent to a correct Pennsylvania county.
Bottom Line, Our Voting Process in Westmoreland County is Safe and Secure
While some individuals have suggested that it would be better to return completely to manual paper ballots, regardless of which way you vote the fact in our county is that the current process is as safe, secure, and accurate as possible.
HELPFUL LINKS:
If you are unsure of your registration status, check online to verify you are registered at: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/voterregistrationstatus.aspx
If you need to register to vote, submit a change of name, change your address, or change your party, you can easily complete that information online at https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx
If you wish to apply for a mail in ballot (note you have the option to request one for all elections or just for a single election), you can obtain that form at the Westmoreland County Election Office or download that form at: https://www.pa.gov/services/vote/apply-for-a-mail-in-or-absentee-ballot.html
If you move out of state, please remember that you are required to notify the county you are registered in to be removed from the voter rolls there. This can be completed online at: https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/vote/resources/documents-and-forms/Voter_Request_to_Cancel_Registration_English.pdf