Gale, Lawrence clash over ballots contract
Commissioners exchange words over cost revision for mail-in ballots
NORRISTOWN » Tensions were high at a recent meeting as Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. and Commissioner Joe Gale exchanged words over a proposed six-figure amendment to a contract for mail-in ballots during the 2020 election cycle.
A $477,482.75 contract with NPC Inc., of Claysburg, for “printing and mailing services for the 2020 general election” was initially approved during an Aug. 13 meeting, according to the contract.
However, the Montgomery County Office of Voter Services requested an additional $533,799.60, citing the “abundance of mail-in ballot requests” during the June 2 primary election. The initial date was scheduled for April 28, but Gov. Tom Wolf postponed it due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nov. 3 General Election brought Montgomery County voters out in droves to cast their ballots by mail and in person. Officials prepared for the anticipated increased participation by having additional
equipment, supplies and staff.
During a Montgomery County Board of Elections meeting last month when the election results were officially certified at the local level, Lawrence said that 513,395 votes were counted for the 2020 general election in Montgomery County, which translated to an 84 percent voter turnout.
The election’s in-person component had more than 265,000 voters casting their ballots, according to Lawrence, who serves as chairman of the county’s election board. The mail-in portion had 279,956 mail-in ballots sent out, and 243,408 mailin ballots returned, which converted to an 86.96 percent
return rate.
Gale, an advocate for inperson voting and a vocal opponent of contracts surrounding mail-in ballots, criticized the expenses associated with the system time and time again.
“This contract amendment more than doubles the original contract for printing and mailing services related to the 2020 general election,” Gale said. “I opposed the original contract and I will be opposing this contract amendment. It’s an example of why universal mail-in voting is problematic and also why it’s so ridiculously expensive to execute.”
The agreement was initially part of a series of 32
contract awards, amendments and renewals that were voted on as a group earlier in the meeting, but Gale requested the item be voted on separately.
Commissioners’ Chairwoman Valerie Arkoosh moved to approve the contract, which was seconded by Lawrence. After asking for additional remarks from her colleagues, Lawrence could be heard chuckling.
“No, no comment,” Lawrence said with a laugh.
Arkoosh then proceeded to call for a vote, but Gale interjected.
“Commissioner Lawrence, you can laugh about it, but I think spending over a million dollars on printing and mail-in services
for the general election is outrageous, and I believe many taxpayers agree with me,” Gale said. “So for you to laugh …”
“For you to laugh is ridiculous,” Gale continued.
“Commissioner Gale, I think helping people to vote is the right thing to do,” Lawrence replied. “I’m in favor, and franchising our citizens.”
“Well I think you can vote, and also protect taxpayers at the same time, and it’s very insulting that you laughed, that you had to interrupt the meeting to laugh about it,” Gale said.
The situation continued to escalate as the screen flipped between Gale and Lawrence as they argued during the virtual meeting.
“You should have a better comment then. Have a better comment,” Lawrence said.
“Yeah well hold your laughter [be]cause it’s insulting,” Gale said.
“If you don’t say things that are funny, I won’t laugh,” Lawrence said.
“OK. Say that to the taxpayers,” Gale said.
Arkoosh then intervened, calling for a roll call vote, which decided the matter in a 2-1 vote with Arkoosh and Lawrence in favor of the contract and Gale voting against it.
The revised figure for the mail-in ballots now stands at $1,011,282.35, according to the contract.