Pennsylvania’s former State House Speaker writes for Postindustrial about the importance of protecting our elections from tampering and overt politicization by the president or anyone else.
Election integrity is not a partisan talking point; it’s the foundation of public trust in our democracy.
Every vote cast in Pennsylvania is more than a political choice; it reflects a citizen’s belief that their voice matters and that our democratic process is worthy of their confidence. That is why maintaining election integrity is not optional. It is essential.
In recent years, confidence in our elections has been tested.
Misinformation, political rhetoric, and repeated challenges to lawful outcomes have created doubt where clarity should exist.
That doubt can be deeply damaging. Democracy depends not only on fair elections, but on the public’s faith that those elections are fair.
Without that faith, participation suffers. People are less likely to vote when they believe the process is flawed.
They are less likely to accept outcomes they disagree with. Most importantly, they are less likely to trust the institutions that hold our society together.
That is why election integrity must remain a shared priority that rises above party lines.
As a member of the Democracy Defense Project Pennsylvania board, I have spent time meeting directly with county and state election officials across the Commonwealth. The board has visited election offices, listened to administrators on the front lines, and worked to better understand both the strengths and challenges of our system.
What we have seen should reassure Pennsylvanians: our elections are administered by capable professionals who take this responsibility seriously.
Their work often happens out of the spotlight, but it is fundamental to the health of our Commonwealth.
Local officials recruit poll workers, maintain voter rolls, secure ballots, and ensure every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate. Their work deserves support, not suspicion.
Maintaining election integrity also means ensuring that participation in our elections is reserved for eligible United States citizens who are residents of the Commonwealth.
This is not a partisan principle. It is a basic safeguard that helps preserve confidence in election outcomes.
At the same time, the systems used to verify eligibility must be clear, accurate, and workable for the counties responsible for implementing them.
Strong laws matter, but laws alone are not enough.
Integrity must be sustained through continual improvement. As technology evolves and voter expectations change, our election systems must evolve as well.
That means improving communication between state and county officials, strengthening administrative resources, and ensuring greater consistency across jurisdictions.
It also means rejecting efforts to politicize the process for short-term gain.
Election integrity should never be reduced to a slogan. It is a serious commitment to fairness, transparency, and the rule of law. Protecting the process means defending both access and security. Those goals are not in conflict. In fact, they depend on one another.
Trust is built through transparency. Voters deserve to understand how ballots are processed, how results are certified, and what safeguards are in place. Public education is critical. Misinformation thrives in the absence of clear communication.
This is about more than the next election cycle. It is about preserving confidence in the democratic process for future generations.
That is work worth doing.
Democracy Defense Project Pennsylvania works to defend the transparency, safety, security, and validity of Pennsylvania’s election system. Former Pennsylvania House Speaker Keith McCall serves as a board member alongside former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, and former United States Representatives Jim Gerlach and Melissa Hart.
