GOP up to old tricks on county Election Board

To the Times: The Delaware County Board of Elections held their first meeting on Friday, March 23, since the appointment of the new “Democrat” by the Republican majority on County Council.

As a reminder, per the Charter of Delaware County, the party that won the most votes in the most recent countywide election is to have representatives in two of the three seats on the Board of Elections. For the first time in the history of Delaware County, Democrats should have control of the Board of Elections.

But instead of allowing the Democrats to select which Democrat joins the Election Board, over objections from the Delaware County Democratic Party, Republican party chair Andy Reilly selected Joseph Possenti Jr., a former Republican Commissioner from Aston, to serve as one of the two Democrats on the board. Not surprisingly, the Republican members of County Council demonstrated that their allegiance to the Republican Party counts for more than either good governance or compliance with the clear intent of the Home Rule Charter, by rubberstamping Mr. Possenti’s appointment.

Sure enough, at the “reorganization” meeting of the Board of Elections on March 23, Mr. Possenti, the newly appointed “Democrat,” showed his true colors by nominating and voting for the lone Republican on the commission to serve as chairman of the Election Board. So instead of having the Democratic Party, which got the most votes, having control of the Board of Elections, the Republicans have found a way to retain power of the board.

Does control of the Board of Elections matter? Yet bet. The board makes decisions regarding accusations of electoral fraud or intimidation, where polling places are located, and how prospective candidates get treated. It oversees the Bureau of Elections, which is the critical link between voters and the election process in the county.

As clear and obvious evidence of the Board of Elections’ disdain for transparency and public involvement, the board does not post meeting dates and times on the county website. To add to that, the board does not post the names and contact information of the board’s members, and does not publish agendas or meeting minutes. Last Friday’s meeting was posted to the website only after members of the public asked for it at Tuesday’s County Council meeting. Indeed, the board does not include on the website the email address of Loreen T. Hagen, the chief clerk – and the person most directly responsible for voter services.

If you want transparency and fairness in the electoral process in this county, insist on it. Show up at the next Board of Elections meeting (assuming we are ever told when it will occur!). Show up at County Council meetings. Contact the members of County Council.

In addition, please share your concerns directly with Mr. Possenti by contacting him c/o the Bureau of Elections, Government Center, Ground Floor, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063.

The Republicans have gotten away with their disgraceful behavior for decades. It needs to end.

“If you want transparency and fairness in the electoral process in this county, insist on it. Show up at the next Board of Elections meeting” — Marjorie McAboy