PA Lawmakers Eye Updating Elections
by Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG (CBS) -- State lawmakers are beginning the discussion on how to approach modernizing Pennsylvania elections.
Wes Parry, assistant director of elections for Washington County, told the House State Government Committee that most Pennsylvania counties converted to some kind computer-based voting system by 2006.
And when it comes to technology, that was eons ago.
"By and large the systems in use around this state are 10 years old, and are fast approaching their end of life," said Parry.
Parry, however, says modernizing technology alone is not enough. He points to the state's 79 year-old election laws.
Patrick Christmas, policy program manager for the Philadelphia election watchdog group "Committee of 70," agrees.
"The election code is completely outdated, hasn't been touched since 1937. And these issues should go hand in hand," said Christmas.
The committee chairman says lawmakers will have more discussions about the issue in the near future.