[Screen shot image via cumberlink]

Pennsylvania’s Department of State has launched 67 county-specific voter websites aimed at assisting voters with the rollout of new voting technology and other election questions. The Sentinel has more:

The Pennsylvania Department of State on Monday announced it has launched 67 new webpages, one for each county, where where voters can educate themselves on the upcoming primary on April 28 and the new voting machines that will be used.

“We want to make sure all voters go to the polls feeling confident and equipped with the information they need to cast their ballots on their new voter-verifiable paper ballot voting systems,” Secretary Kathy Boockvar said. “These customized websites will help ensure that all voters understand how to use the new auditable voting systems in use in their counties and give all Pennsylvania voters a clear understanding of the voting tools and options available to them.”

Each webpage includes a description of the county’s voting system, along with photos and videos that guide voters through the step-by-step process of using the new machine.

On the webpage for Cumberland County, there are photos and an instructional video on how to use the ES&S ExpressVote XL, as well as how residents can contact the county Bureau of Elections.

The sites also provide information on recent law changes in Pennsylvania, as described in the department’s release:

The county webpages are part of the Department of State’s Ready to Vote 2020 initiative, which aims to educate voters about new voting systems and other voting changes ahead of the 2020 elections. Among the resources available through Ready to Vote is a toolkit that groups and organizations can use to share reliable information about voting in Pennsylvania. The department’s votesPA.com website and the toolkit explain the significant voting reforms in Act 77, including the new option to vote by mail-in ballot.

“There are many exciting changes coming to voting in Pennsylvania this year,” Secretary Boockvar said. “The Department of State looks forward to continued strong partnerships with county officials as we work together to make voting easier, more accessible, and more secure for millions of Pennsylvanians.”

Online resources are always a crucial component of voter outreach – and kudos to Pennsylvania for ensuring that voters in all 67 counties have access to the information they need to understand how to register and cast a ballot. It’s all part of the ongoing to national effort to provide official and trusted election information – and a welcome development as the 2020 election continues. Stay tuned …

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged