League of Women Voters cries foul

League of Women Voters: County election board lacks minority representation

Group says judge should have appointed a Democrat to the Chester County Election Board.

The Pennsylvania League of Women Voters is concerned that the Chester County Election Board lacks minority party representation going into Tuesday’s election.

“All Chester County voters have a right to be represented by their Election Commission,” said Susan Carty, president of the League for both Pennsylvania and Chester County. “An Election Commission comprised of only one political party will, at minimum, contribute to an unhealthy, distrusting, skeptical public perception. That is not right,” she said.

The Chester County Election Board is normally composed of the three county commissioners. Since the state constitution provides that only two commissioners may be of one party, minority party representation is guaranteed.

However, Republican Commissioner Ryan Costello is running for Congress. Democratic Commissioner Kathi Cozzone is running for state senate.

This leaves only Republican Commissioner Terence Farrell.

Judge James P. MacElree, the president judge of the Court of Common Pleas, appointed judges

Robert J. Shenkin and Jeffrey R. Sommer to join Farrell on an election board. Both judges are Republicans.

The appointments were made last spring, but only recently came to public attention.

MacElree has not responded to the League’s request that a person of another political party be appointed.

Democratic State Sen. Andrew E. Dinniman of Chester County said he was disappointed by MacElree’s lack of response. He said he personally found the appointments by the judge to be a possible violation of state law, but certainly a violation of “the spirit of the law and all common sense.”

In light of MacElree’s appointments, Dinniman said he introduced legislation several weeks ago in the General Assembly to make clear that minority party representation is required. The matter will not be considered until next year.

Carty said that as president of the state and the county League of Women Voters, she surveyed other chapters across the state and that none indicated a single-party election board in counties similar to Chester.

he board oversees elections to make sure requirements are met for polling places, candidate qualifications and the like. It is also in charge of making sure elections are run fairly. It will investigate allegations of frauds and irregularities. The board certifies final results.