A state Senate committee hearing Thursday focused on ballot drop boxes. Election officials are pushing for changes.
ACT 77 passed just before the pandemic allowing for voting drop boxes, but county elections officials across the state had immediate concerns.
It wasn’t just about the potential for fraud or tampering, but possible destruction of ballots as well.
“Someone could drop a match, or a cigarette butt, or anything into the box potentially destroying ballots contained therein,” said Leslie Osche, Butler County Commission Chair.
She added the drop boxes are also costly to maintain and result in confusion, especially for congressional districts that cross state lines.
It's illegal for anyone else to submit, or drop off, another voter's ballot, but that’s exactly what Governor Tom Wolf says his wife did during the last election, which raised eyebrows.
Some lawmakers now want to amend ACT 77, which allowed for drop boxes. A separate Senate bill being considered would require 24-hour surveillance.
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