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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, January 02, 2020

Register to Vote NOW

This year, Pennsylvania is one of the key battleground states in the Presidential election. Donald Trump will be squaring off against a yet-to-be determined Democratic nominee. Though Congressman Susan Wild is in a Democratic-leaning district, any freshman Congressman is vulnerable. At least two LV state house seats (Marcia Hahn and Justin Simmons) will be open. So the polls will be busy on primary day (April 28) and again during the November 3 general election. There will be at least 6 million people voting in Pa., but it's still important that you be registered if you want your voice heard. Trump won Pennsylvania in 2016 by just 44,292 votes. This gave him the narrowest margin of victory in 176 years, and all of Pa.'s precious electoral votes. If you want Trump re-elected or defeated, you need to be registered by April 13.

On my left sidebar, I have a link through which you can register online. You must be a US citizen who has lived in the state for 30 days before the election.

In addition to being able to register online, you will be able to vote by mail this year for the first time. If you have no desire to wait in line or prefer a paper ballot, this is for you. Your application for an absentee ballot must be filed with the state (or county) on or before 5 pm on April 21. At this point, the Department of State has no ballots ready. This is because nomination petitions must first be filed.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Since we have voting machines that are flawed we are left to wonder why. The newspaper has done an excellent job describing the mistakes in an unbiased way and the sad subterfuge practiced by the McClure administration. While you have been covering up for Dertinger and McClure's incompetency others have had to work hard to get the truth out to the public. Hopefully county council will take an active part in assuring the public of the veracity of the votes cast. The administration has lost the confidence of the people and rightfully so.

Anonymous said...

I have voted in every election. I have no confidence in voting since the McClure/Dertinger/Cozze debacle. I have no confidence that when I vote McClure out that it will be counted. I guess that is what he was going for. This made him the worst County Executive ever among other things he has been incompetent with.

Anonymous said...

Pro tip: figure out a way to register in another county where they know how to conduct elections and your vote is more likely to be honestly and honorably counted. We're under McClure occupation in this county. It's a serious problem.

Bernie O'Hare said...

It is very clear to me the first three comments are nothing/more than attempts to damage McClure politically.

Anonymous said...

7:13 Sadly, you are so blinded by him.

Bernie O'Hare said...

What you are doing is generating a campaign issue.

Anonymous said...

You continue to defend the actions of the very same person and associates you castrated just a short time ago.

Anonymous said...

WHY the dems will fix it again.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Um, this post has nothing to do with defending anyone. It is intended to alert readers to register to vote. It is also a heads up on the opportunity to vote by mail for the first time ever in this state.

You have responded with five comments attacking McClure and accusing me of a cover up.

The ExpressVote XL was the choice of an overwhelming majority of elected election judges who viewed four different systems in LC. The Elections Comm'n recommended this system in a 2-1 vote and Council authorized the purchase 8-1 after waiting to see how the system fared in Delaware. The selection was very open and deliberate. You are hiding under a rock.

The system fared poorly bc (1) some machines were configured improperly (2) all machines were programmed improperly and (3) the pre-election testing was inadequate. None of this has anything to do with the county administration. Similar errors could have just as easily screwed up the scanning of paper ballots. The county made a mistake when it shut out a reporter who wanted to witness votes being tabulated.

This blog has reported extensively on the issues that arose. It has reported in great detail on two lawsuits over the XL. I believe I have provided far more detail than what appeared in one MC story that included a misleading headline. This blog has also been critical of the McClure admin for failing to present its action plan at the December meeting of the EC. But McClure has said he will be presenting a plan in January. I will be there when he does. I cannot say the same for McClure's political opponents. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for news outlets either.

I remain convinced the XL was the right choice. And it was the choice of the election judges who use them.

I get it. You are attempting to make political points over a disastrous election. I am pointing it out, just as I pointed out the errors.

Anonymous said...

the county exec's behavior can only lead to electing a Republican next time around. The democratic lemmings will also be replaced. When the RNC comes to northampton county to contest the 2020 results, thank that bunch.

Bernie O'Hare said...

You just proved my point. Thanks. Ironically. The Rs voted for the XL. Party chair Lee Snover supported it too

Anonymous said...

Bernie that is the point. McClure will write up an action plan. He will accept no input from anyone else. Will he do it at a press conference where he can control the entire thing or will he present it t a public meeting Will he allow other such as council members to have any input.

His weakness appears to be that he an Detinger want a very controlled and closed process. They continually play council for suckers'. They appear to have a condescending way of dealing with the public. You may be impressed but other than a few union bosses no one else is anymore.

Bernie O'Hare said...

He has already received input from the elections office, council members, election judges and others. He will present his plan to the Elections Comm'n in a very public setting where you can come and whine. Of course, you'll have to ID yourself.