Pennsylvania election threats

Verification, database and rejection

 * October 31, 2008. In response to reports about problems with ACORN-submitted voter registrations, the Republican party filed suit requesting that Pennsylvania increase the number of provisional ballots on hand at polling places, and also seeking to order ACORN to turn over the records for their 140,000 registrations in the state . On October 30th, the judge ruled against the GOP.

Felon voting rights
Quoting from an October, 2008 report on "de facto disenfranchisement" (summary)(download PDF) co-published by the Brennan Center for Justice and the ACLU:

"'[I]ndividuals with felony convictions in Pennsylvania cannot vote until released from prison. But in response to interviews in 2004, two counties mistakenly stated that people with felony convictions could vote by absentee ballot while incarcerated for a felony conviction. One county official advised that people incarcerated for felonies could vote by absentee ballot. Another said, “[n]obody is not allowed to vote. You can vote if you’re in jail.  Drug dealers, rapists, murderers can vote because politicians are looking for votes.”'"

See also "felon disenfranchisement" issue page

Voter education

 * A Common Cause examination of voting preparedness rated Pennsylvania's sample ballot system as "unsatisfactory," citing, "sample ballots are not mailed to registered voters nor are they available on the Secretary of State Website. By Law before each November election, a notice must be published by newspaper that may include a 'portion of the form of ballot or diagram of the face of the voting machine.'"

Deceptive practices laws

 * A Common Cause examination of voting preparedness rated Pennsylvania's deceptive practices law as "unsatisfactory," citing, "No deceptive practices laws."

Voter caging, purging and other eligibility challenges

 * October 31, 2008. Delaware County rejected 250 voter-registration applications and is investigating 4,000 more. The Delaware County Voter Registration Commission, a three-member commission with two Republicans, which had not met for 15 years before now, is examining new voter registrations because of concerns over news reports about ACORN. Delaware County is rejecting the registration applications based on criteria that no other county uses.

Voter intimidation and deception

 * November 4, 2008. Student voters report receiving text messages advising that voting had been extended through Wednesday.

""It doesn't take much to suggest to somebody that it's a good idea to stay away from the polls if they're already not deeply committed anyway," he said.
 * October 9, 2008 report of flyers circulating in Pennsylvania universities and low-income areas telling voters they will be arrested at the polls if they have unpaid parking tickets.

During the 2004 election, flyers were posted around Penn's campus asserting that students might lose scholarships and drivers licenses if they voted."


 * A Common Cause examination of voting preparedness rated Pennsylvania's voter challenger rules as "unsatisfactory," citing, "On election day, challenges may be brought by any voter against another at the polls. 25 PS 3050. Challenged voters may cast an ordinary ballot, but only if they can find another registered voter to “vouch” for their identity in an affidavit. "

Poll worker training, recruitment and distribution

 * A Common Cause examination of voting preparedness rated Pennsylvania's poll worker recruitment as "mixed," citing, "By law, 3 poll workers are required per precinct. A successful program allows high school students in good standing to serve as poll workers in addition to the 3 minimum."


 * A Common Cause examination of voting preparedness rated Pennsylvania's poll worker as "mixed," citing, "State law requires that counties “instruct election officers in their duties,” but does not specifically require that each election offi cer be trained before s/he serves. The Department of State has produced a standard training DVD for county administrators; in addition, the SoS is in the process of uploading the DVD online."


 * November 4, 2008. According to one report, "hundreds of Penn State students are being forced to vote by provisional ballot," because "election workers are not checking supplemental registration books for the names of Penn State students who registered just before the deadline. ... Someone who votes by provisional ballot could be required to appear at the courthouse at a later date to vouch for his identity if he wants the vote to count."

Polling place accessibility and wait times

 * October 19, 2008. Long lines are predicted for Monroe County voters: "Local election officials warn voters could face long lines and wait times on Election Day this year."

Voting machine and ballot distribution

 * A Common Cause examination of voting preparedness rated Pennsylvania's voting machine distribution as "unsatisfactory," citing, "No law regarding machine distribution."

Malfunctioning voting machinery

 * For an extensive log of voting machine problems, see the VotersUnite! report on election incidents.


 * November 04, 2008. "Voting machine malfunctions are widespread and at least a dozen locations, mainly focused on Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Election Protection has received reports of campaign materials being illegally distributed at polling locations in Pittsburgh. Voters across the state are reporting that they never received their absentee ballots, which is creating additional chaos at the polls."

Criteria

 * 11/20/2004. Allegheny County, PA. Registered voters denied provisional ballots. Poll workers uncooperative, and at least a dozen precincts ran out of provisional ballots entirely.  As a result, many voters were unable to cast a ballot.

Eligibility verification

 * 10/2/2008. Allegheny Country. 27 percent of provisional ballots cast in the 2008 Philadelphia Primary were disqualified because poll workers didn't fill out the envelopes properly.