RightCount PA and Broad + Liberty Host Panel Highlighting Pennsylvania Election Safeguards and Common-Sense Reforms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2026

Former Governor Mark Schweiker, Former Congressmen Lou Barletta and Jim Gerlach, and Election Officials Emphasize Transparency, Voter ID, and Civic Engagement Ahead of November Midterms

HARRISBURG, PA: As Pennsylvanians prepare for the upcoming November midterm election, RightCount Pennsylvania partnered with digital news site Broad + Liberty to host a statewide panel discussion on election integrity, voter list maintenance, and the vital role of civic participation.

The event brought together more than 50 community members, election administrators, and state political leaders to discuss the safeguards keeping Pennsylvania elections secure and transparent, while outlining actionable reforms to further strengthen public trust. Panelists included former Pennsylvania Governor and RightCount PA Co-Chair Mark Schweiker, former Congressman and RightCount PA Co-Chair Lou Barletta, former Congressman and Democracy Defense Foundation Leader Jim Gerlach, Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, and We the Veterans PA State Lead Tim Benyo.

Former Congressman Lou Barletta, Co-Chair of RightCount Pennsylvania, emphasized that building lasting voter confidence requires active public oversight and common-sense verification standards like photo voter ID: “We can’t sit back and hope that people in Harrisburg will take care of the problem—we must continue to review, demand, and strengthen our safeguards so that every Pennsylvanian can have total confidence that our elections are free, secure, fair, and accurate. Showing proper identification to vote is a common-sense safeguard that broad majorities of voters support, and implementing these basic protections ensures that every legal vote is protected.”

Former Congressman Jim Gerlach highlighted the critical importance of transparent voter roll maintenance and thorough state-level verification procedures, noting that addressing data inquiries directly reinforces public faith: “Voter security and voter faith in our system rely on election officials thoroughly examining data, verifying accuracy, and delivering clear answers to the public. When leaders take a rigorous, transparent look at list maintenance and pair that with common-sense state and federal verification measures like voter ID and proof of citizenship, we ensure our election systems remain robust and secure.”

Panelists also focused on the operational mechanics already in place under the Pennsylvania Election Code, which provide strict checks to ensure voter eligibility while protecting eligible citizens from disenfranchisement. Local officials noted that thorough verification processes, bipartisan county election boards, and list maintenance protocols actively work to catch and resolve discrepancies before ballots are cast.

Closing the event, former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker, Co-Chair of RightCount Pennsylvania, called on citizens across the Commonwealth to step up, get involved, and serve as poll workers or observers to see the security of the process firsthand: “Voting and choosing our leaders is the absolute bedrock of the American experience. The power and allure of the United States is that we are a free people, and protecting that freedom requires us to stay active and engaged. We must continue working with our legislature to refine our laws, strengthen our safeguards, and ensure that every citizen can participate in a system they fully trust.”

Panelists discussed ongoing list maintenance procedures, noting that election officials rely on lawful, verified data to update voter rolls while ensuring eligible citizens are not improperly removed. Commissioner Seth Bluestein highlighted the importance of continuous administrative improvements to ensure data accuracy across state agencies. Leaders from across the Commonwealth also reiterated the urgent need for straightforward, bipartisan verification laws – including photo voter ID and citizenship verification – to give all voters certainty before ballots are counted.

In closing, panelists urged voters to demystify the process by volunteering as poll workers and observers, noting that direct participation builds firsthand confidence in local election administration.

About RightCount

RightCount is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to building public confidence in American elections. By elevating constitutional federalism, state-level administration, and local accountability, RightCount works to ensure every election is secure, transparent, and accessible to voters across the nation. For more information, visit RightCount.org.