Drop Box Security Reviewed by State Government Committee

HARRISBURG – The controversial guidance that created drop boxes for ballots in the days before the 2020 election was the focus of today’s hearing of the Senate State Government Committee, according to committee chair Senator David G. Argall (R-Berks/Schuylkill).

“The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s last-minute decision to create ballot return sites, without legislative approval, has raised many questions about whether these sites are secure or not,” said Senator Argall.  “Today’s testimony will be invaluable as the committee continues to consider how to ensure the security of these sites, if they should even be used at all.”

Catherine Engelbrecht, the Founder of True the Vote, and Gregg Phillips, the CEO of OpSec Group testified about activists visiting multiple drop boxes on the same day, contrary to state law.

Lisa Schaefer, the Executive Director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, testified about the changes to ballot return sites most needed by county election staff.  Senate Bill 878, sponsored by Senator Argall and Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), would fulfill the most requested changes by requiring that drop boxes are stationary and monitored by 24/7 video surveillance.

The hearing and all testimony can be viewed on the Senate State Government Committee’s website.

Contact: Jim Brugger

717.787.2637

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