Corman Applauds Commonwealth Court Ruling Supporting Election Investigation Subpoena

HARRISBURG – Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) issued the following statement today after the Commonwealth Court upheld the authority of the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee to issue a subpoena for voter records as part of its investigation of recent elections:

“Today’s ruling upholds the General Assembly’s clear legal and constitutional authority to provide oversight of our election system. Under Senator Dush’s leadership, the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee is conducting this review in a way that is transparent, fair and legally sound, and I am thankful this ruling completely validates our thoughtful approach to this deeply contentious issue.

“We have always intended to take every step necessary to protect the personal information of voters. Our resolve to protect this data has never wavered, and we look forward to proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that we can safeguard this information effectively.

“Attorney General Shapiro, Governor Wolf and Senate Democrats have spent months raising numerous red herrings about this investigation, and I am grateful the Commonwealth Court saw through their propaganda and put those false narratives to rest. The time for political showmanship is over. The people of Pennsylvania deserve a real, honest review of our elections so we can improve our voting system in the future, and this ruling paves the way for a thorough and forthright investigation to move forward as quickly as possible.”

CONTACT: Jason Thompson

Meeting of Special Committee

Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

PUBLIC HEARING 

Meeting of Special Committee

Monday, June 14, 2021 | 12:30 p.m.

Senate Chamber and Virtual Participation

Final Report


12:30 p.m.      Welcome and Opening Remarks 

Senator Wayne Langerholc Jr.
Chair, Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

Senator Sharif Street
Democratic Chair, Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

12:35 p.m.      Consideration and Approval of the Report 

12:55 p.m.      Closing Remarks

1:00 p.m.        Adjourn

Public hearing on insight on the Administration of Elections in Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties

 

Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

PUBLIC HEARING 

Public hearing on insight on the Administration of Elections in Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 | 9:00 a.m.

North Office Building, Hearing Room #1 and Virtual Participation


9:00 a.m.          Welcome and Opening Remarks 

Senator Wayne Langerholc Jr.
Chair, Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

Senator Sharif Street
Democratic Chair, Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

9:05 a.m.          Panel One – Philadelphia County                       

Lisa M. Deeley – Testimony
Chairwoman, Philadelphia City Commissioners

Al Schmidt – Testimony
Vice Chairman, Philadelphia City Commissioners

Omar Sabir
Secretary, Philadelphia City Commissioners 

9:20 a.m.          Questions for the Philadelphia City Commissioners  

10:05 a.m.         Panel Two – Allegheny County 

Rich Fitzgerald – Testimony
County Executive, Allegheny County 

10:15 a.m.         Questions for Allegheny County Executive Fitzgerald 

10:55 a.m.         Closing Remarks 

11:00 a.m.         Adjourn

Senate Special Committee to hear from Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties

HARRISBURG – The Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform will hold its third hearing as it continues its comprehensive review of the 2020 General Election. The third hearing will take place on Tuesday, April 20 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building. 

With the reopening of the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex, and to ensure full transparency during the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, a limited number of press will be admitted into the hearing. All CDC guidelines including the mandatory wearing of masks and social distancing must be followed.  Press admittance will be offered as space allows.  The hearing will also be live-streamed here.

The third hearing will feature Philadelphia City Commissioners Lisa Deeley, Al Schmidt, and Omar Sabir as well as Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

More information can be found on the Special Committee’s website and Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to submit comments through the online form. The online form for the Special Committee is scheduled to close on Friday, April 30.

Contact: Joshua J. Paul

Public hearing on State and Local Insight on the Administration of Elections in Pennsylvania

 

Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

PUBLIC HEARING 

State and Local Insight on the Administration of Elections in Pennsylvania

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 | 10:00 a.m.

North Office Building, Hearing Room #1 and Virtual Participation


10:00 a.m.       Welcome and Opening Remarks 

Senator Wayne Langerholc Jr.
Chair, Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

Senator Sharif Street
Democratic Chair, Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

10:05 a.m.       Panel One – The Department of State 

Veronica Degraffenreid  | Testimony
Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth
Pennsylvania Department of State

Jonathan M. Marks
Deputy Secretary for Elections and Commissions
Pennsylvania Department of State 

10:15 a.m.       Questions for Panel One 

11:00 a.m.       Panel Two – Elections Directors  

Tim Benyo | Testimony
Elections Director, Lehigh County

Ed Allison | Testimony
Elections Director, Lawrence County

Cindy Furman | Testimony
Elections Director, Wayne County

Karen Barsoum | Testimony
Assistant Director for Elections Services, Berks County 

11:20 a.m.       Questions for Panel Two

12:00 p.m.      Panel Three – County Commissioners 

Sherene Hess | Testimony
Indiana County Commissioner
Chair, CCAP Elections Reform Committee 

Joe Kantz | Testimony
Snyder County Commissioner

Douglas Chew | Testimony
Westmoreland County Commissioner

Lamont McClure | Testimony
Northampton County Executive

12:20 p.m.      Questions for Panel Three 

12:55 a.m.       Closing Remarks

1:00 p.m.        Adjourn

Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

HARRISBURG – The Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform will hold its second hearing as it continues its comprehensive review of the 2020 General Election. The second hearing will take place on Tuesday, March 23 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building.

With the reopening of the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex, and to ensure full transparency during the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, a limited number of press will be admitted into the hearing. All CDC guidelines including the mandatory wearing of masks and social distancing must be followed.  Press admittance will be offered as space allows.  The hearing will also be live-streamed here.

The second hearing will feature officials from the Pennsylvania Department of State, local election officials and county commissioners.

More information can be found on the Special Committee’s website and Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to submit comments through the online form.

 

Contact: Joshua J. Paul

Public Hearing – A Review of Best Practices of Election Integrity and Security from Other States


Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

PUBLIC HEARING 

A Review of Best Practices of Election Integrity and Security from Other States 

March 15, 2021 | 10:00 A.M. 

Senate Floor – Pennsylvania State Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120


10:00 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Senator Wayne Langerholc Jr.
Chair, Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

Senator Sharif Street
Democratic Chair, Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform

10:05 a.m.

Panel One

Wayne Williams
Member, Colorado Springs City Council
Secretary of State of Colorado (2015-2019)
Clerk and Recorder, El Paso County, Colorado (2011-2015)
Statement

Paul López
Clerk and Recorder, City and County of Denver
Member, Denver City Council (2007-2019)
Statement

10:10 a.m.

Questions for Panel One

11:00 a.m.

Panel Two

Justin Lee
Director of Elections, Office of Utah Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson
Statement

Sherrie Swensen
Clerk, Salt Lake County, Utah
Statement

11:10 a.m.

Questions for Panel Two

12:00 p.m.

Panel Three

Craig Latimer
Supervisor of Elections, Hillsborough County, Florida
Statement

David Stafford
Supervisor of Elections, Escambia County, Florida
Statement | Statement 2

Tammy Jones
Supervisor of Elections, Levy County, Florida
Statement

12:15 p.m.

Questions for Panel Three

12:55 a.m.

Closing Remarks

1:00 p.m.

Adjourn

 

Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform Begins Bipartisan Review

HARRISBURG – The bipartisan Senate panel will begin a comprehensive review of the 2020 General Election with their first hearing to review best practices of election integrity and security from other states on Monday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Senate Chamber.  The hearing will be live-streamed here

The purpose of the Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform is to focus on the review of the 2020 General Election. Members of the bipartisan Special Committee were appointed by President Pro Tempore Senator Jake Corman (R-34) in consultation with the Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-43).  Members of the Special Committee include Chairman Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), Senator Lisa Boscola (D-18), Senator John Gordner (R-27), Senator Mike Regan (R-31), Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), Senator Sharif Street (D-3), Senator Lindsey Williams (D-38) and Senate Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-34) as ex-officio.

The Special Committee is anticipated to produce a report that will be presented to the General Assembly and standing committees covering areas of legislative recommendations, as directed in the Senate Motion establishing the Special Committee.

More information can be found on the Special Committee’s website and Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to submit comments through the online form.

Contact: Joshua J. Paul