York, Pennsylvania — A York County couple is sounding the alarm to voters here about a serious backlog in the county’s Bureau of Elections processing of mail-in ballot applications, putting many votes in jeopardy for the Nov. 5th election – now only 12 business-days away.
Angela Brooks, of Etters, filed her mail-in ballot application online on Oct. 9th; and as of today’s date (Oct. 18), her voter status record states she is not a mail-in ballot voter – in other words, the York County Bureau of Elections office still didn’t process her application, which they must do before sending her mail-in ballot.
Ms. Brooks said the same story goes for her husband. Incidentally, they both are both Republican.
Another voter, who asked not to be identified, said she called the York County Bureau of Elections office to ask if there’s any delay in processing mail-in ballot applications (and sending ballots) – and the staff member stated that the volume of mail-in ballot applications they are experiencing is difficult to manage, even advising the voter to “make an appointment” and come to the elections office to vote.
The York County Commissioners last held a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 16, where the new Director of the Bureau of Elections, Bryan Sheaffer, gave a report on his office. He stated: “Our office is very busy right now, processing mail-in ballot requests, and helping voters at the counter. Currently we have processed just a little over 52,000 mail-in ballot requests. And we’re getting them sent out as quickly as possible.”
He did not express to the commissioners how many ballots were sent, or how much mail-in application backlog they have – but his staff is warning those who call in.
To check on your mail-in ballot status, go to this link: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/ballottracking.aspx
If you don’t receive one, and are forced to go to a nearby poll on Election Day, be sure to screenshot your mail-in ballot status, showing you have not received any, in spite of applying for one.
All voters should be allowed opportunity to vote by provisional ballot if there’s any confusion as to their mail-in vote not being received.
In the case of this Etters couple, the status form replies that: “We are unable to match your information with our records.” This signaled to them it was still delayed. A follow-up call to the elections office confirmed the same.
Sheaffer was officially named the new elections director in June for York County, after former Director Julie Haertsch resigned to focus on her health. Her position was opened in April, and according to York Daily Record, Commissioner Julie Wheeler did not comment on how many applied for the position.
Scott Presler also shared this news on his heavily-followed social media accounts, including “X” (@ScotPresler) where the news is getting widely spread. Presler moved to Pennsylvania to keep an eye on election issues and to rally all eligible citizens to vote.
Harrisburg100 