Pennsylvania: Election Modernization

Business for America (BFA) is launching a statewide campaign to educate and organize Pennsylvania’s business community to modernize the way elections are conducted in the Keystone State. The stakes are high. Pennsylvania, with its 20 electoral votes, plays an important role in national politics. However, outmoded election systems across the state prevent easy access to the ballot, are unable to ferret out potential fraud, and cannot guarantee that every vote is counted in the 2020 election. Pennsylvania was one of 21 states that the Department of Homeland Security identified as particularly vulnerable to cyber-attack in 2016, and the threat remains high today.

The Business Case for Election Modernization

Just like roads and airports, election systems are critical infrastructure. Continued reliance on undependable, 15- to 20-year old election systems calls into question state and local government effectiveness. Business leaders understand that this growing lack of confidence undermines trust in government, reduces voter turnout, and is ultimately harmful to Pennsylvania’s business climate and economy. In fact, a 2017 Harvard Business School study found that ​political dysfunction is the greatest obstacle to U.S. economic competitiveness​.

In business parlance, elections are ‘marketplaces’ for candidates and ideas, and require reliable information and technology. And, voting, like buying a product in a competitive market, is a validation of how well the system works. We believe that in order to maintain an innovative and competitive business climate, we must have a well-functioning representative democracy based on elections that are fair, secure, and accessible.

The Pennsylvania Story

In April 2018, Governor Tom Wolf issued an executive order requiring every county to have secure equipment with voter-verifiable paper records in place before the 2020 general election. Then in November 2018, a lawsuit settlement stipulated that the state must enable every voter to use a “voter-verifiable paper ballot” in 2020. With most of the state’s elected officials agreeing that it’s important to modernize the equipment being used, the big question now is where will the estimated $125 million come from, and when.

Businesspeople understand that sticking with outmoded technology to save money epitomizes the old adage “penny wise and pound foolish.” We’re working to make the business case that the investment will pay dividends in increased public confidence and an improved business climate. Our Business Advisory Council is planning a series of webinars and educational events this spring. We’ll also be meeting with state legislators in Harrisburg in the coming months.

Want to Get Involved?

If you’d like to learn more about how your business or organization can participate, please contact Richard Eidlin, BFA’s Policy Director.