It was awesome and inspiring to yesterday see the tremendous dedication and efforts by poll workers, staff and volunteers conducting the election in the face of great challenges, and gives us confidence for whatever the challenges are for November’s election.
We know things were not perfect, not everything went as planned and we made some mistakes. We know PPE was late arriving to some polls, and we know the return process at the Courthouse last night was extraordinarily slow. We apologize to you for our shortcomings and appreciate the understanding and patience you showed when frustrated by the circumstances.
We will refine processes before November’s General Election with yesterday’s experience offering us better understanding of the logistical considerations presented by the recent changes to voting methods and the new voting equipment. Conducting our first election on new voting equipment and our first election with expanded mail-in voting during an election rescheduled and conducted using special procedures due to the pandemic, we learned many things, especially, we need to scale up our operations for a changed environment.
We are so thankful for your efforts that permitted Delaware County to hold yesterday’s Primary Election in the face of so many unique challenges. Never in our lifetimes has Delaware County held an election in a pandemic. Never in our lifetimes has Delaware County voted on paper ballots as mandated by the new law. Never has Delaware County seen mail-in or absentee voting at an even a fraction of these levels. Your perseverance, tenacity and belief in democracy made this happen. Thank you.
Gerald Lawrence Ashley Lunkenheimer James J. Byrne, Jr.