HARRISBURG, PA – The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) today issued a resolution responding to a serious administrative error by the Chester County Department of Voter Services, which resulted in poll books being distributed to polling locations that omitted all voters not registered as Democrat or Republican.
According to official data, Chester County is home to nearly 2,000 registered Libertarians and more than 73,000 voters registered as Independent or with minor political parties. The error had the possibility of disenfranchising tens of thousands of eligible voters during the election.
Citing the Pennsylvania Constitution’s guarantee that “Elections shall be free and equal; and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage,” and the U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmation that “the opportunities of independent-minded voters to associate in the electoral arena… [are key to] diversity and competition in the marketplace of ideas” (Anderson v. Celebrezze, 460 U.S. 780 (1983)), the LPPA emphasized that equal access to the ballot box is a constitutional right that transcends party affiliation.
The Party’s resolution recognizes the efforts of the Chester County Department of Voter Services and local poll workers who acted swiftly to identify and correct the issue. It further condemns the omission of approximately 75,000 voters from the voter rolls as an unacceptable error. The resolution demands a full, immediate, and transparent investigation into the cause of the mistake. Finally, it urges the Chester County Board of Elections and the Board of Elections in every county to review and improve its election procedures to prevent future occurrences.
“We commend the Chester County Board of Elections for their dedication and the long hours they’ve invested in this election, but appreciation cannot replace accountability,” said Greg Deal, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. “The distribution of incorrect voter rolls and the shortage of provisional ballots are serious failures that undermine public confidence in the process. Voters deserve answers, not excuses. We call for a full and transparent investigation to ensure that every eligible vote is counted, and every Pennsylvania voter can trust their election system.”
The LPPA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of all voters, regardless of party affiliation, and ensuring that Pennsylvania elections remain truly free and equal.
Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the state and the nation, with over 200 elected and appointed officials currently serving in office in Pennsylvania, plus many more nationally. Like the Founding Fathers, Libertarians believe that you have an inalienable right to conduct your life as you see fit, without interference, so long as you respect the rights and property of others. For more information about the Libertarian Party, the public is invited to contact the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania at www.LPPA.org or (800) R-RIGHTS, or the National Libertarian Party at Lp.org or (202) 333-0008.
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