Philadelphia Inquirer LTE: Secure elections

Philadelphia Enquirer| Published: October 20, 2021

“As a former governor of Pennsylvania and a prior member of the Bucks County Board of Elections, I have witnessed firsthand the strength and resilience of our election systems. In response to concerns raised in The Inquirer about misinformation, legal challenges, and potential delays this November, I write to assure my fellow Pennsylvanians that our elections are secure. Election officials have been rigorously trained, and reforms implemented in recent years have fortified our voting process.

“Every first-time voter must show personal ID such as a valid driver’s license. Pennsylvania collaborates with other states to reduce duplicate registrations. County officials ensure ballot drop boxes are constantly monitored by video surveillance, and no voting equipment is ever connected to the internet. In short, Pennsylvania has secure infrastructure in place to ensure that every legitimate voter can vote and be counted.

“Despite these positive advancements, we continue to see a concerted effort to spread misinformation about the election process. It is essential that all Pennsylvanians, and especially fellow Republicans, work to counter these false narratives with verifiable research, facts, and transparency. Elections are a cornerstone of democracy, and together we must defend these institutions and foster faith in the system.”

Mark S. Schweiker
44th governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania