On Friday morning, state Representative Scott Conklin and Centre County Commissioners Michael Pipe and Mark Higgins cast their ballots for the upcoming municipal election in the ballot drop-off box in front of the State College Municipal Building. The officials discussed the importance of access and ease of voting for Centre County residents.
The Democratic officials said the purpose of the event was to show the ballot drop-off boxes are secure and easy to use for the 12,000 absentee and mail-in ballots Centre County has issued.
State Representative Scott Conklin said drop boxes and mail-in ballots make voting easy and convenient for working people who may not have time for traditional, in-person voting.
“Individuals should have not only the right to vote, but they should have the ease of voting, honest and without anyone trying to stand in the way, and that's why we're here today,” Conklin said. “This is secure. It has security cameras. But most of all, it shows that if you work 40, 50, 60 hours a [week], that you can get that ballot, you can drop it off at your convenience, and you can do your democratic process, and be involved with your community.”
There are eight drop-off ballot boxes available across Centre County, including in Bellefonte, Philipsburg, Centre Hall and at Penn State’s HUB-Robeson Center.
Republicans have tried to pass legislation banning these ballot boxes. And the Trump campaign sued the state of Pennsylvania over them during the 2020 election, saying they’re insecure and could lead to voter fraud. A judge said there was no “tangible evidence” to support those claims.
The boxes will be available until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 2.