Bill introduced to end single-party Chesco election board

WEST CHESTER State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D., Chester) introduced a bill last week that would keep a political party from taking over county election boards.

Chester County's Board of Elections is made up of three Republicans, County Commissioner Terence Farrell and two Court of Common Pleas judges. This one-party makeup of the board is not illegal, but it goes against precedent and the spirit of state law, Dinniman said.

Dinniman's legislation would require county election boards to include members of both parties.

Chester County commissioners Ryan Costello, a Republican, and Kathi Cozzone, a Democrat, are both running for higher office in November, so they were replaced on the election board.

State law says there must be minority representation on boards of commissioners, which make up election boards. However, if a minority representative leaves the election board to seek other office, he or she does not have to be replaced by a member of the same party.

"Since a bipartisan election board is a fundamental commonsense element in assuring public confidence in the election process, I have introduced my legislation," Dinniman said in a statement.

- Michaelle Bond