Full Breakdown
Pennsylvania Launches Pilot Program for Internet-Connected Electronic Pollbooks
2/13/2026, 11:51:01 AM
Overview of the Pilot Program
The Pennsylvania Department of State is initiating a pilot program to test internet-connected electronic pollbooks (e-pollbooks) during the upcoming May primary election. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of election administration, as over half of Pennsylvania's counties have already adopted or experimented with e-pollbooks. Currently, these systems are not permitted to connect to the internet, which proponents argue limits their effectiveness.
Benefits of Internet-Connected E-Pollbooks
Proponents of the pilot program, including Thad Hall, Mercer County’s election director, highlight several advantages of internet-connected e-pollbooks. These devices could streamline the updating of voter eligibility lists for polling place workers, allowing for real-time monitoring of precinct operations and turnout. This capability could enable election officials to quickly verify results on election night, as data from e-pollbooks could be uploaded almost instantaneously to the state’s voter management system. Hall noted that this would address issues experienced in previous elections, such as the printing error in Chester County that forced thousands of voters to cast provisional ballots.
Security Concerns and Opposition
Despite the potential benefits, some county officials express concerns regarding the security implications of connecting e-pollbooks to the internet. Joe Kantz, a county commissioner in Snyder County, emphasized the risks of hacking and the potential for creating disparities in election administration across counties. He stated, “I'm not against progress, but I'm concerned about the security aspect of networking anything related to elections.” The Department of State has not detailed the specific security measures that will be implemented for the pilot program.
Official Statements and Responses
Amy Gulli, a spokesperson for the Department of State, indicated that the pilot program is still in its early stages, with applications from e-pollbook vendors due by February 28. Gulli reassured that voting machines and ballot tabulators will remain disconnected from the internet, and e-pollbooks will be disconnected before transferring data to the state’s system.
Jerry Feaser, a former Dauphin County elections director now with e-pollbook vendor KNOWiNK, noted that while e-pollbooks cannot directly add voters to the state’s rolls, they can facilitate the verification process. He reported that a mock election in Delaware County using internet-connected e-pollbooks was successful, and other counties have shown interest in participating in the pilot.
What's Next
As the pilot program approaches, the Pennsylvania Department of State will assess the effectiveness and security of internet-connected e-pollbooks. The outcome of this pilot could influence future election administration practices across the state, particularly in how counties manage voter data and polling operations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm not against progress, but I'm concerned about the security aspect of networking anything related to elections,” — Joe Kantz, County Commissioner, Snyder County
- “Finally, he pointed out that the new devices could help mitigate problems with paper pollbooks on Election Day.” — Thad Hall, Election Director, Mercer County
- “will assess whether internet-connected EPBs allow county election officials to respond to polling place issues faster and more efficiently.” — Amy Gulli, Spokesperson, Pennsylvania Department of State
