Northhampton News

Dec. 13, 2023 - Rep. Ann Flood (R-Northampton) has released a detailed report addressing significant concerns surrounding the November 2023 election in Northampton County. The report aims to restore voter confidence and improve election integrity.

The report highlights various issues faced by voters in Northampton County during the election, including malfunctioning voting machines and paper ballots improperly recording votes for judicial retention. As a result, 2,400 voters were required to use paper ballots, leading to 35 provisional and 2,160 emergency ballots. This led to the unfortunate situation of at least 100 voters being turned away at the polls, causing widespread concern among the electorate.

Flood expressed her concerns about the ongoing investigation by Northampton County officials and the Department of State (DOS), which aims to identify the root causes of these problems and implement necessary reforms. She emphasized the need to ensure the security and integrity of the electoral system to prevent a loss of faith in government.

To address these issues, Flood is preparing several legislative proposals. One proposal involves phasing out the use of "ballot marking device" election machines in Northampton County. These machines have been found to be error-prone, not as usable in an emergency, and require additional costs. The proposed bill would prevent the Department of State from certifying any such machines in the future and prohibit counties from purchasing them. However, currently owned machines could still be used until replacements are found.

Another proposal aims to ensure sufficient emergency ballots. For precincts using ballot-marking device machines, the bill would require enough emergency ballots to be provided as required by the election code. This is to address the shortages of emergency ballots that led to voters being turned away during the previous election.

Additionally, Flood plans to introduce legislation that sets an explicit requirement for privacy in voting, even during emergency voting procedures in a precinct. This is to ensure that voters' privacy is protected when officials make substitute arrangements for voting due to machine malfunctions.

The comprehensive report, titled "2023 Election: The Impact of Issues with the Administration of Elections in Northampton County," is available on Flood's official website. It provides a thorough analysis of the problems faced during the election and offers solutions to prevent a recurrence of these issues in the future.

By addressing these election integrity issues, Flood aims to foster a robust and reliable electoral system for not only Northampton County but also for the wider region. As she stated, "People will begin to lose faith in government if they do not have confidence in the electoral system. It is our responsibility to ensure the security and integrity of our voting procedures."

For more information, visit Representative Ann Flood's official website or contact Will Jones at WJones@pahousegop.com or 717.260.6615.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.repannflood.com/News/33280/Latest-News/Flood-Issues-Report-Highlighting-Northampton-County-Election-Issues,-Identifies-Solutions