In Gov. Tom Wolf’s home county, criticism over new voting machine requirement

New machines are expected to cost about $1.4 million in York County -- that's lower than an earlier estimate

• Ed Mahon
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  Ed Mahon comes to Spotlight PA from PA Post, where he covered state politics and policy, produced radio stories that were broadcast on public media stations throughout the state and on NPR’s national newscasts, and co-wrote a weekday newsletter. Prior to joining PA Post, Ed worked for six years as an investigative and political reporter for the York Daily Record, part of the USA Today Network. His reporting on failures in Pennsylvania’s system for protecting domestic abuse victims was a finalist in the national 2018 Livingston Awards for Young Journalists in the local reporting category. He was also part of a team whose coverage of the criminal justice system, including the aggressive use of civil asset forfeiture by York County prosecutors, received the 2018 G. Richard Dew Award for Journalistic Service from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. Before joining the York Daily Record, Ed covered K-12 education at the Centre Daily Times in State College and worked as a stringer for suburban sections of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He grew up in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

 Ed Mahon / PA Post

Four Republican candidates for York County commissioner participated in a debate on April, 29, 2019. They are, from left to right, Steve Chronister, Chris Reilly, Ron Smith and Julie Wheeler.

As part of a lawsuit settlement last year, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration promised to update voting machines in the state.

The Department of State has told counties to have updated machines with paper trails by the 2020 election, and that Wolf is seeking funding to cover half the cost.

During a Republican debate in Wolf’s home county on Monday, there was plenty of criticism over the requirement. Candidates for York County commissioner were asked if they supported the update requirement — and how they would pay for it.

“I’m not going to tell you how we’re going to pay for them because I don’t support it,” said candidate Steve Chronister, a former commissioner who is seeking his old job. Chronister said the county has more pressing priorities, such as public safety.

Commissioner Chris Reilly, who is seeking re-election, said the original estimates for the cost were “upwards of $8 million.” But new estimates put the cost at about $1.4 million.

“That is something the county is going to be able to absorb … without raising taxes by the way,” Reily said.

A sample ballot provided by a voting machine company hoping to win contracts with Pennsylvania counties.

And he said the county expects to receive about $600,000 in additional federal funding from a grant. Reilly talked about the importance of having integrity in elections and having a safe and reliable way to vote.

He joked about how the new machines will work.

“You’re gonna be amazed at what it is, folks. You’re gonna sit at a table and fill out a paper ballot with a pencil,” Reilly said. “Back to 1953.”

Candidate Ron Smith said he opposed the requirement but believed commissioners had to follow the mandate.

“Hopefully, the state comes through and gives us a fair share of money,” Smith said. “However, we’ve been down that road before and know that sometimes that doesn’t always happen.”

Candidate Julie Wheeler said the county has to follow the mandate.

“This is a great example of an unfunded mandate that gets pushed down to the county and puts the burden on the county to pay for it,” Wheeler said.

York County, the eighth most populous in the state, has voted solidly Republican at the county level for many years. Wolf, a Democrat, is from the town of Mount Wolf in the county.

County government has a general fund budget of more than $252 million this year.

The primary is May 21. For the three-member Board of Commissioners, two Republican and two Democratic candidates will move onto the general election.

In the 2017 general election, a malfunction with York County voting machines allowed voters to vote for the same candidate twice in some races. The problem, which the county said was caused by a programming error, affected certain judicial races and others in which candidates cross-filed.

Monday’s night debate was hosted by the Republican Club of York County at Shiloh Fire Company, outside York city. A fifth Republican candidate, Blanda Nace, was not at the debate.

During an earlier candidate forum, Nace said the voting machine mandate is an example of why it is important for the county to have someone dedicated to seeking grant funding from government and philanthropic sources.

“We can’t rely solely on property taxes to raise funds,” Nace said, during a York city forum in early April.

A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.

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