Shusterman, House Democratic Policy Committee examine 2020 vote

PA State Department, county officials and watchdogs answer pressing questions over ballot counting, poll watchers, signature matching and more

Policy Committee    October 8, 2020 | 7:31 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 8 – State Rep. Melissa Shusterman hosted the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee for an online hearing today examining the progress that state and county officials have made securing the 2020 general election in Pennsylvania.

Shusterman hosted the hearing at the request of committee Chair Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. Testimony was heard from:

  • Jonathan Marks, deputy secretary for elections & commission, Pennsylvania Department of State.
  • Bill Turner, acting director, Chester County Voter Services.
  • Vic Walczak, legal director, ACLU of Pennsylvania.
  • Pat Christmas, policy director, The Committee of Seventy
  • Carol Kuniholm, vice president of government and social policy, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.

The full hearing is available to watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ILAO2YScj8&feature=emb_logo.

“Ensuring that this fall’s election takes place securely and does so with the confidence of Pennsylvania voters is the most important work happening at all levels of government right now,” said Shusterman, D-Chester. “My House colleagues and I are laser-focused to ensuring that Pennsylvania’s voting procedures and personnel are dialed in and that the sanctity of our democracy is protected.

“Having heard from this expert panel today, I am confident in telling my constituents that they can trust the integrity of this election, even as straining as the coming weeks might become. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to vote, whether by mail or in person on Nov. 3.”

“Pennsylvanians are remarkable citizen-patriots, and I have no doubt that with the help of the dedicated officials among us, that our voices will be heard at the polls this fall and our country’s and state’s transfers of power across hundreds of offices will safely take place like they have for more than 240 years,” Sturla said. “We must trust in our time-honored American institutions as well as our neighbors to lead us along the right path, even in the face of monumental adversity.

“I thank every panelist today – as well as each and every poll worker and official working to protect democracy and maintain this country’s gold standard for democracy and freedom across the globe.”

The hearing, which was recorded live and is available on YouTube, answered questions from details on filling out ballots, court challenges to aspects of the vote, signature matching, security and poll watching. Officials repeatedly encouraged people to visit ReadytoVote2020.com for answers to questions about voting this fall.