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Lehigh County election officials held their inaugural open house on Thursday (October 8) to provide residents with a transparent view of the election process. The event, held at the voter registration office, aimed to address concerns about election integrity and transparency.
According to WFMZ, Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel stated, "With so much misinformation and disinformation around the electoral process, the best way to treat that issue was to open up our doors and show that we have nothing to hide." The open house allowed attendees to observe where mail-in ballots are processed and counted, and to ask questions of election staff.
Chief Clerk to the Board of Elections, Mike Paston, highlighted the meticulous steps involved in handling ballots, emphasizing security measures such as unique barcodes for each ballot. He explained the importance of transparency, saying, "I want them to come away with confidence in the transparency of our election."
The Morning Call reported that the event was strategically held before mail-in ballots were returned to ensure security. Residents filled out mock sample ballots to understand the process better.
Mail-in ballots are being sent out as requested, with a deadline for requests set for October 27. All mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday (November 3). The county's efforts to increase transparency aim to bolster public confidence in the electoral process.