Story perspectives

Chester County Poll Books Omit 75,000 Voters; Review Underway

11/5/2025

Summary

Story summary

Poll books failed to include names of over 75,000 registered third-party voters in Chester County, affecting about 20% of the electorate.
The omission was identified shortly after polls opened at 7 a.m. on November 4.
Chester County Voter Services is deploying supplemental poll books to all 230 polling locations.
Voters whose names were missing were allowed to cast provisional ballots.
A formal review will investigate the omission.

History

Historical Context

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the civil rights movement, aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting. By the end of 1965, approximately 250,000 new Black voters were registered, significantly increasing representation. However, the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder ruling weakened protections, leading to ongoing challenges, such as the recent exclusion of over 75,000 registered third-party voters in Chester County.

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Story summary

Poll books failed to include names of over 75,000 registered third-party voters in Chester County, affecting about 20% of the electorate.
The omission was identified shortly after polls opened at 7 a.m. on November 4.
Chester County Voter Services is deploying supplemental poll books to all 230 polling locations.
Voters whose names were missing were allowed to cast provisional ballots.
A formal review will investigate the omission.

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