ICE

Advocated for the approval of the $500,000 community development block grant contract to help Kennett Area Community Service acquire a new building.

Expressed concern about losing ongoing drop box cameras and suggested utilizing Act 88 grant funds for security guards.

Shared past observations of drop box monitoring and criticized the removal of the central scan live stream and addition of unmanned drop boxes.

Objected to unmanned drop boxes and asked where the new observation room is located relative to ballot counting.

Spoke in favor of making voting more accessible, noting the need for more drop boxes and extended satellite hours.

Supported expanding drop box hours and surveillance to help working voters and seniors.

Argued against unmanned drop boxes, stating mailboxes already provide 24/7 access.

Expressed skepticism about mail-in ballots and unmanned drop boxes, advocating for in-person hand-counted paper ballots.

Emphasized the importance of voting and community unity while acknowledging residents' dedication to the process.

Supported extending drop box hours and easy voting methods based on his experience as a poll worker.

Expressed confidence in the commissioners but raised concerns about mail ballot integrity and voter roll accuracy.

Criticized past poll book errors and argued that unmanned drop boxes compromise election integrity.

Objected to manual provisions regarding college student registrations and drop box security, criticizing county legal counsel.

Expressed support for board efforts to increase voting access, mail ballot timelines, and drop box availability.

Noted that numerous counties across Pennsylvania utilize 24/7 drop boxes and argued the board has legal authority to expand access.

Requested earlier mailing of ballots, expanded drop box availability, and better website navigation for on-demand voting.

Shared positive experiences as a poll worker, acknowledged staff safety concerns, and requested more accessible satellite offices.

Acknowledged mutual community care for fair elections and suggested exploring monitored drop box options.

Criticized the lack of stakeholder outreach by the new voter services director and urged town halls.

Commended the board for maintaining secure voting and cited studies showing widespread election integrity.

Argued against unmanned drop boxes, asserting they invite fraud and lack necessary process controls.

Spoke as chair of the Chester County Republican Committee opposing the reinstatement of unstaffed drop boxes.

Raised legal objections regarding manual phrasing, observation rules, and prior court stipulations.

Argued that previous drop box staffing successfully prevented ballot harvesting and urged the board not to change policies.

Reiterated concerns over secure voting and opposed unmanned drop box expansion.

Criticized mail-in voting procedures and signature verification standards.

Stated that review of 2022 footage showed virtually no drop box usage between sunset and sunrise, arguing 24/7 access is unnecessary.

Urged the board to reject overnight drop boxes and removal of live streams, citing security concerns.

Objected to reversing drop box safeguards agreed upon during the 2022 litigation settlement.

Contended mail-in ballot signatures do not verify who marked the ballot and called unmanned boxes a vector for fraud.

Expressed concerns about county staff being pulled to assist with poll worker training and criticized transparency rollbacks.

Alleged statistical anomalies in past Chester County election data and questioned machine security.

Raised questions regarding recent staff departures and vacancies within voter services.

Expressed concerns about procedures and care oversight within the Chester County Aging Department.

Expressed frustration over lack of dialogue with critics and questioned solicitor meetings and poll watcher rules.

Expressed concern that the mail-in ballot request deadline is too close to election day and could strain staff.

Criticized past election certification and raised concerns about voter roll accuracy and non-citizen voting.

Highlighted the critical role of Judges of Elections and recommended workshops and broader recruitment.

Proposed expanded drop box hours and locations, and discussed federal election integrity matters.

Thanked the board for clarifying statutory mail-in deadlines and promised to follow up at the state level.

Raised concerns about high expenditures on temporary workers, vacant positions, mailing errors, and poll worker training schedules in Voter Services.

Expressed strong support for ICE activities and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Raised concerns about ICE leasing space in Berwyn and urged the county to prohibit county property and resources from being used for civil immigration enforcement.

Spoke about the ICE office near an elementary school and asked the county to actively resist ICE and protect local schools and residents.

Shared her perspective as a naturalized citizen from Russia and noted the fear within immigrant and refugee communities due to ICE activities.

Asked the commissioners to pass a resolution preventing ICE from using county property, prohibiting employee assistance without a judicial warrant, and avoiding 287(g) agreements.

Detailed Montgomery County's ICE resolution and asked if Chester County commissioners could vote on a similar resolution at the next meeting. Also proposed changes to election drop box hours and locations.

Expressed agreement with previous speakers regarding the need to stop aggressive ICE actions.

Expressed concern that the proposed pay increase for poll workers forced to work extra hours under court order was insufficient given the demands placed upon them.

Questioned the total cost to taxpayers for the election day poll book error and criticized the response as insufficient for the scale of disenfranchisement.

Expressed concerns about transparency in county bidding and criticized the quality of food provided to inmates.