York, PA – Members of the Democracy Defense Project Pennsylvania Board met with York County leaders to learn about their process, identify, and discuss solutions that will streamline election execution and boost public confidence in our elections.

The Board met with the County Commissioners and the county’s election director and key members of the county’s leadership team to gather insights directly from the men and women executing elections on the front lines. The day’s discussion centered on specific, implementable improvements, as well as highlighting the work the county has done to improve the election process.

Following the discussion and overview of York County’s elections improvement initiatives, Board members were given a tour of the county’s elections office, highlighting equipment and process upgrades to improve efficiencies.

“Engaging with county commissioners and election officials is critical to maintaining open communication and developing collaborative solutions that strengthen our election system,” said former Pennsylvania House Speaker Keith McCall.

“Feedback from York County and communities across the Commonwealth is helping chart a path toward practical improvements and more consistent election administration,” said former United States Representative Melissa Hart. ​ ​

“While voters should have full confidence in our democratic process, we must keep working toward improvements that promote statewide uniformity and reduce confusion for both officials and voters,” said former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

“While every county encounters its own election-related challenges, York County has used those moments to improve its system and continually enhance the voting experience,” said former United States Representative Jim Gerlach.

“Over the last five years, York County has placed a high priority on improving our elections operations – from building more efficient processes to adding new security and accountability measures to making the voter experience easier and more convenient for voters. We were honored to share our best practices and our learnings with the Democracy Defense Project, and we hope that through ongoing dialogue and shared experiences, Pennsylvania can continue to build a better elections system that is consistent, secure and efficient across all 67 counties,” said York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler.

A key takeaway from discussions with York County election officials is the county’s commitment to innovation in addressing challenges. After experiencing long wait times for the over-the-counter ballot process, officials acted quickly to develop YoCo Votes, a solution designed to streamline the process and significantly reduce wait times.

Pennsylvania’s election officials are incredibly dedicated, and their commitment to our free and fair elections goes well beyond Election Day. Their professionalism and dedication were on full display in York County, and Pennsylvanians should have full faith in our democracy.

Democracy Defense Project Pennsylvania works to defend the transparency, safety, security, and validity of Pennsylvania’s elections system. Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, former United States Representatives Jim Gerlach and Melissa Hart, and former Pennsylvania House Speaker Keith McCall serve as board members.

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