Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.
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For years, Pennsylvania has trailed other states across the country by not offering ways to vote other than at voting precincts or by absentee ballot. That all changed last fall, when Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation that allows voters to submit ballots in other ways.
Mail-in voting may be the most significant of the changes. Starting this year, voters can opt to apply for a mail-in ballot with no excuse or reason needed and mail their completed ballot to the state. Other changes include the voter registration deadline has been shortened to 15 days before an election, rather the traditional 30 days. Also, the deadline for a county to receive an absentee ballot is now 8 p.m. on election day.
There are other changes as well and county election directors have expressed concern that there may be additional staff or funding needed. Counties have also cautioned that counting votes and final results may not be available as quickly.
Pennsylvania’s Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and Deputy Secretary of State Jonathan Marks appear on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to explain the changes and discuss elections in this important election year.
Alexandra Stein
Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and Deputy Secretary of State Jonathan Marks appear on Smart Talk on February 12, 2020.