If Westmoreland County Commissions Sean Kertes and Doug Chew want to switch to paper ballots to conform to neighboring counties (“Westmoreland voters opt for computers over paper ballots,” Nov. 6, TribLive), why not wait until the 900 touch-screen machines purchased in 2019 for $7 million are no longer operational? It does not make sense to choose now to implement a pilot program to offer voters an either/or option.
I read there were 5,000 signatures on a petition asking for paper ballots, yet not even 5,000 voters used them. As a poll worker, I witnessed voters overwhelmingly choosing the familiar touch-screen option, and money was wasted on paper ballots that cannot be reused.
It seems most voters do not understand that the touch screen does not record their vote. Regardless of which ballot they choose, their vote is not counted until it goes into the scanner. There are security measures in place, such as keys and zip ties, when setting up and shutting down the touch screen and scanner to ensure a tamper-proof system.
Westmoreland County elections are safe and secure. Anyone who is a poll worker knows that. So, if you doubt it, please join us next spring, and become a poll worker and find out for yourself.
Susan Witt
Greensburg