Saccone’s poll watcher bill clears committee
State Rep. Rick Saccone, R-Elizabeth, said Wednesday the House State Government Committee approved House Bill 171, his legislation to strengthen the election process in Pennsylvania.
House Bill 171 would permit a registered voter of the commonwealth to be appointed as a poll watcher in any election district in Pennsylvania. These poll watchers would be present at polling places for the purposes of maintaining the integrity of the voting process.
On March 24, the Election Fraud Task Force in the Philadelphia district attorney’s office launched an investigation into the special election in the 197th Legislative District after the task force received numerous complaints of alleged electioneering inside the polling place, illegal voter assistance and individuals writing on posted ballots. Saccone believes the controversy in the 197th District is an example of why the Commonwealth needs appointed poll watchers.
The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.