Apr. 11, 2016
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced legislation that would require a task force be established for the purpose of studying the Commonwealth’s aging voting technology. The task force would also make recommendations on future voting machine and election technology.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), state and local election officials across the nation have expressed concern about old and outdated election technology.
“Without safe, secure and modern election technology, the integrity of the electoral process may be called into question by the voters of this Commonwealth,” Ortitay said. “We must ensure that every vote truly counts in Pennsylvania.”
House Resolution 808 would direct the Joint State Government Commission to establish the task force, which would review all voting systems in use in the Commonwealth and assess potential future maintenance, repair and replacement costs. The task force would be charged with investigating voting technologies used in other states, as well as the laws and processes governing the purchase of voting machines in Pennsylvania.
Additionally, the legislation requires the commission and task force make recommendations regarding options for upgrading and modernizing voting systems and for providing technical and financial assistance to counties that must update and/or replace their voting machines.
According to the legislation, the task force would be composed of, at a minimum, several election directors and county commissioners, a representative of a disability advocacy organization and an election technology expert.
At the time of its introduction, House Resolution 808 had 16 co-sponsors, and gained support from both Republican and Democratic members.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Wagner
717.260.6281
mwagner@pahousegop.com
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