Northhampton News

Rep. Ann Flood of Northampton County has released a report addressing concerns from the November 2023 election in the county. The report outlines legislative proposals aimed at enhancing election integrity and restoring voter confidence.

Flood 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." She emphasized that her report and proposed solutions are crucial steps toward achieving these goals.

During the recent election, voters faced issues such as malfunctioning voting machines and problems with paper ballots improperly recording votes for judicial retention. Reports indicate that 2,400 voters had to use paper ballots, resulting in 35 provisional and 2,160 emergency ballots. At least 100 voters were turned away from polling stations, raising concerns among many.

Despite certification and a risk-limiting audit, additional issues with voting machines were identified. An investigation by Northampton County officials and the Department of State is ongoing to determine root causes and implement necessary reforms.

Flood's legislative proposals include phasing out ballot marking device machines used in Northampton County due to their error-prone nature and associated costs. The proposal would prevent new certifications or purchases of these machines by counties while allowing current ones to remain until replacement.

Another proposal ensures sufficient emergency ballots are available for precincts using ballot-marking devices. This addresses shortages that led to voters being turned away when machines failed.

Additionally, Flood proposes setting explicit requirements for privacy during emergency voting procedures when machines are down.

The proposed legislation aims to prevent future occurrences of the problems seen in the 2023 election, contributing to a reliable electoral system for Northampton County and beyond.

The comprehensive report titled “2023 Election: The Impact of Issues with the Administration of Elections in Northampton County” is now available through Representative Ann Flood's office. For more information, contact Media Contact Will Jones at WJones@pahousegop.com or call 717-260-6615.